Systems and methods for authenticating user identities in networked computer systems

ABSTRACT

The disclosed embodiments include methods, systems, system terminals, and point-of-sale terminals for authenticating a user. The disclosed embodiments include, for example, a method for receiving, by one or more processors, authentication data from an authentication network, the authentication data including an authentication code identifying an authentication transaction associated with an authenticating partner system. The method may also include validating, by the one or more processors, the authentication data, the validating comprising comparing the authentication data with validation data corresponding to a prior authentication event associated with the user. The method may also include generating, by the one or more processors, validation information based on the validating, the validation information comprising a determination whether to validate the user for the authentication transaction. The method may also include providing, by the one or more processors, the validation information to the authentication network.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/016,012, filed Jun. 23, 2014, and to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/016,017, filed Jun. 23, 2014, thedisclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties.

BACKGROUND

Technical-Field

The present disclosure generally relates to systems, methods, andapparatuses for authenticating identities of users in networked computersystems, and for example, and without limitation, to systems and methodsfor authenticating identities of users in networked computing systemsthat facilitate services relating to accounts and/or transactions.

BACKGROUND

Today, many financial and non-financial transactions require users toestablish theft identity or other personal characteristics prior toapproval. Users typically establish their identities through paperdocuments, passwords, and rarely-used items. In the modern digital age,it can be cumbersome for users to keep track of a wide variety of paperdocuments and physical items for proving their identity and personalattributes on a routine basis. Moreover, conventional practices foropening a new financial account typically require a user to personallyvisit a brick and mortar financial institution to establish his or heridentity by providing identification documents, such as a driver'slicense, utility bills, and other forms of documentation to arepresentative of the institution.

The disclosed embodiments include methods and systems to authenticateusers in an accurate, efficient, and trustworthy manner.

SUMMARY

The disclosed embodiments include systems and methods for authenticatingusers.

The disclosed embodiments include, for example, a method forauthenticating a user. The method may include providing, by one or moreprocessors, an authentication transaction request to a firstauthentication partner system, the authentication transaction requestcorresponding to an authentication transaction. The method may alsoinclude receiving, by the one or more processors, an authentication codefrom a first authentication partner system, the authentication codeidentifying the authentication transaction. The method may also includeproviding, by the one or more processors, authentication data to anauthentication terminal in communication with an authentication network,the authentication data including the authentication code.

The disclosed embodiments also include, for example, acomputer-implemented method for authenticating a user. The method mayinclude receiving, by one or more processors, a first set ofauthentication data associated with the user, the authentication datacomprising an authentication code corresponding to an authenticationtransaction with a first authentication partner system. The method mayalso include generating, by the one or more processors, a second set ofauthentication data consistent with the validation request. The methodmay also include providing, by the one or more processors, the first setof authentication data and the second set of authentication data to asecure authentication network, the secure authentication networkconfigured to route information to one or more authentication partnersystems, at least one of the authentication partner systems storingvalidation data corresponding to a prior authentication event associatedwith the user.

The disclosed embodiments also include, for example, a method forvalidating an authentication transaction. The method may includereceiving, by one or more processors, authentication data from anauthentication network, the authentication data including anauthentication code identifying an authentication transaction associatedwith an authenticating partner system. The method may also includevalidating, by the one or more processors, the authentication data, thevalidating comprising comparing the authentication data with validationdata, the validation data corresponding to a prior authentication eventassociated with the user. The method may also include generating, by theone or more processors, validation information based on the validating,the validation information comprising a determination whether tovalidate the user for the authentication transaction. The method mayalso include providing, by the one or more processors, the validationinformation to the authentication network.

The disclosed embodiments also include, for example, a method forauthenticating a user. The method may include receiving, by one or moreprocessors, a request to authenticate an authentication transaction. Themethod may also include generating, by the one or more processors, afirst authentication code identifying the authentication request. Themethod may also include providing, by the one or more processors, thefirst authentication code to a client device. The method may alsoinclude receiving, by the one or more processors, validation informationfrom an authentication network, the validation information comprising adetermination whether to validate the user for the authenticationtransaction, the validation information generated by a validatingpartner system based in part on the first authentication code. Themethod may also include determining, by the one or more processors,whether to approve the authentication transaction based on thevalidation information. The method may also include processing, by theone or more processors, the authentication transaction if theauthentication transaction is approved.

The disclosed embodiments also include, for example, a method forauthenticating a user. The method may include receiving, by one or moreprocessors, authentication data associated with the user, theauthentication data comprising an authentication code corresponding toan authentication transaction with a first authentication partnersystem. The method may also include providing, by the one or moreprocessors, the authentication data to a second authentication partnersystem. The method may also include receiving, by the one or moreprocessors, validation information from the second authenticationpartner system, the validation information comprising a determinationwhether to validate the user for the authentication transaction. Themethod may also include providing, by the one or more processors, thevalidation information to the first authentication partner system.

Additional objects and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will beset forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will beobvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of theinvention. The objects and advantages of the disclosed embodiments willbe realized and attained by means of the elements and combinationsparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the disclosed embodiments as claimed.

The accompanying drawings constitute a part of this specification. Thedrawings illustrate several embodiments of the present disclosure and,together with the description, serve to explain the principles of thedisclosed embodiments as set forth in the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary computing environment consistent withdisclosed embodiments.

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary computing system consistent with thedisclosed embodiments.

FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of an exemplary authentication transactionrequest and confirmation process consistent with the disclosedembodiments.

FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of an exemplary authentication datatransmission process consistent with the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 5 depicts a flowchart of an exemplary validation process consistentwith the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 6 depicts a flowchart of an exemplary authentication transactionreceipt and confirmation process consistent with the disclosedembodiments.

FIG. 7 depicts a flowchart of an exemplary authentication network datatransmission process consistent with the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 8 depicts a flowchart of an exemplary authentication transactionapproval process consistent with the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 9 depicts an exemplary payment network environment consistent withthe disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 10 depicts an exemplary network routing environment consistent withthe disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 11 depicts an exemplary multi network environment consistent withthe disclosed embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the presentdisclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary computing environment 100 consistent withdisclosed embodiments. In one aspect, computing environment 100 mayinclude one or more client devices (e.g., client device 112) which maybe associated with respective one or more users (e.g., user 110), one ormore authentication partner systems (e.g., systems 132 and 142) whichmay be associated with respective one or more authentication partners(e.g., authentication partners 130 and 140), one or more authenticationterminals (e.g., authentication terminal 152) which may be associatedwith one or more hosts (e.g., host 150), and one or more secureauthentication networks (e.g., authentication network 120) connectingone or more of the components of environment 100.

In some aspects, client device 112 may include any computing or dataprocessing device consistent with the disclosed embodiments. Forexample, client device 112 may include a personal computer, a laptopcomputer, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a hand-held computer,a personal digital assistant, a portable navigation device, a mobilephone, a wearable device, an embedded device, a smartphone, and anyadditional or alternate computing device. In certain aspects, clientdevice 112 may be operable to transmit and receive data across acommunications network (e.g., authentication network 120) orauthentication terminal 152. Client device 112 may be implemented withone or more processors or computer-based systems, such as the computingsystem 200 of FIG. 2. In certain aspects, client device 112 may includeone or more client devices.

In some embodiments, client device 112 may be associated with one ormore users 110. In one example, user 110 may use client device 112 toperform one or more processes consistent with the disclosed embodiments.For example, user 110 may use client device 112 to input information andreceive and transmit information to and from other systems inenvironment 100 such as authentication terminal 152, an authenticationpartner system (e.g., system 132), or another computing system.

In some embodiments, environment 100 may include one or moreauthentication partner systems (e.g., systems 132 and 142) configured toprocess, store, receive, obtain, and transmit information. In certainaspects, an authentication partner system may be configured to executesoftware instructions to perform one or more processes consistent withthe disclosed embodiments. In one aspect, an authentication partnersystem may be associated with one or more authentication partners (e.g.,authentication partner 130). In some embodiments, an authenticationpartner may be any entity storing, using, managing, or processinginformation related to authenticating a user. For example, in someaspects, an authentication partner may be a financial institution, agovernmental entity (e.g., a DMV, a federal government agency, state orlocal body, a court, regulatory bodies, law enforcement, etc.), abusiness entity (e.g., a merchant), an educational entity (e.g., auniversity, local school, school board, etc.), other users (e.g., usersauthorized or capable of validating identities), and the like. In someaspects, a financial institution may include a commercial bank, aninvestment bank, a provider of financial service accounts (e.g.,checking, savings, credit, debit, reward, loyalty accounts, etc.), or aprovider of payment instruments (e.g., a credit card, a debit card, aprepaid card, check instruments, etc.).

In certain aspects, an authentication partner system (e.g., system 132)may include computing systems that process, among other things,authentication transactions. An authentication transaction may includeany transaction, exchange, or process in which a user's identity,personal information, or other characteristics are required forapproval. In some embodiments, the nature of the authenticationtransaction processed by an authentication partner system may depend inpart on a type or character of an authentication partner associated withthe system (e.g., partner 130), the user, or any other parameterconsistent with the disclosed embodiments. For example, authenticationtransactions associated with a system of a financial institution mayinclude opening or closing financial service accounts, modifyingfinancial service account information, registering for or renewingpayment instruments, applying for credit, purchasing goods or services,transferring funds, paying bills, purchasing or selling securities,repaying loans, or the like.

In other embodiments, authentication transactions may includetransactions related to governmental entities, educational entities,business entities, and other entities that require authenticating a userto conduct a transaction. For example, authentication transactionsassociated with government entities may include applying for, renewing,or modifying government licenses and permits (e.g., drivers' licenses,passports, hunting and game licenses, alcohol and beverage licenses,parking permits, voting cards, etc.); updating governmental records(e.g., changing a vehicle's garage jurisdiction with the DMV, updatingan address for a passport, changing a last name with a Social Securityoffice, etc.); conducting government-related transactions (e.g.,establishing a forwarding address, paying court fees, filing or payingtaxes, etc.); and the like. In another example, authenticationtransactions may include educational transactions such as applying foradmission, registering for classes, paying tuition, managing meal plans,submitting exams, and so on. Other types of authentication transactionswill be apparent upon consideration and practice of the disclosedembodiments, and the above listing of certain authenticationtransactions is for illustrative purposes only.

In certain aspects, an authentication partner system (e.g., systems 132or 142) may include one or more servers (e.g., servers 134), and one ormore data storages (e.g., data repository 136). In some embodiments,server 134 may include software programs and one or more processors forexecuting the programs. Server 134 may be configured to execute softwareinstructions to perform one or more processes consistent with thedisclosed embodiments. In one embodiment, for example, user device 112,authentication terminal 152, and/or another authentication partnersystem (e.g., system 142) may exchange information facilitatingexecution of the one or more processes consistent with the disclosedembodiments. The software instructions of server 134 may be incorporatedinto a single computer, a single server, or any additional oralternative computing device apparent to one of ordinary skill in theart. Server 134 may also include distributed computing devices andcomputing systems, and may execute software instructions on separatecomputing systems and servers.

An authentication partner system (e.g., system 132) may include one ormore data repositories 136 configured to store information consistentwith the disclosed embodiments. In some aspects, data repository 136 maystore information including user data. In certain embodiments, user datamay reflect information uniquely identifying one or more users (e.g.,user 110) of an authentication partner (e.g., partner 130) associatedwith the system. For example, a customer of a financial institution(e.g., partner 130) may access a web page associated with theauthentication partner system (e.g., through a web server executed onthe system), and subsequently register for banking services, providedata, receive information, make payments, and so on.

In some embodiments, user data may include personal informationassociated with a user 110 (e.g., a name, home address, or date ofbirth), demographic information (e.g., educational level, income level),government-issued identifiers (e.g., driver's license numbers, passportnumbers, Social Security numbers, etc.), employment information (e.g.,employer name or address), and/or contact information (e.g., e-mailaddresses, home numbers, work numbers, or mobile numbers). In certainembodiments, user data may also include public or private recordsinformation such as a user's driving record, credit score, passportinformation (e.g., issuance date, expiration date, etc.), driver'slicense information (e.g., expiration date, organ donor status, etc.),school grades, arrest record, judgment and lien information, courtfilings, medical records, and the like. In some aspects, user data mayalso include several instances of a particular kind of data (e.g.,multiple residences, historical credit scores, multiple phone numbers,etc.).

In some aspects, user data may also include one or more credentialsassociated with registered users of the authentication partner. Forexample, the credentials may include, but are not limited to, a username, a user-specified password, a system-generated password, or analphanumeric identification number (e.g., a PIN) specified by the useror assigned by the authentication partner system. In certain aspects,user data may include information facilitating enhanced credentialtechniques. For example, user data may store information identifying asecurity question associated with a customer (e.g., “What is yourmother's maiden name?”) and the customer's registered answer to thesecurity question. User data may also include information identifying aparticular security image or avatar selected by the user and displayedby the user during the credential process.

In some embodiments, user data may include client device identificationinformation identifying one or more client devices 112 registered touser 110. In certain aspects, device information may include a telephonenumber, IP address, MAC address, serial number, operating systeminformation, software version, browser information, and the like. In oneembodiment, the user may provide the client device information (e.g., amobile telephone number provided by the user). In other embodiments,other computing systems may be configured to execute processes thatautomatically collect client device information (e.g., collecting an IPaddress associated with the client device). For example, authenticationpartner system 132 or authentication terminal 152 may be configured tocollect device information associated with a client device.

In certain embodiments, user data may also include informationidentifying, relating to, or associating with one or more authenticationtransactions or accounts maintained, managed, stored, hosted, orprocessed by authentication partner system 132 (or authenticationpartner 130). In some embodiments, the nature and extent of the userdata stored may depend on the type of account or authenticationtransaction managed by the authentication partner system orauthentication partner.

For example, in one embodiment, an authentication partner system (e.g.,system 142, system 132, etc.) may store user data associated with a userof a financial institution. In some aspects, the user data may includefinancial service account information such as a checking account, asavings account, a credit line, an account linked to a credit or debitcard, a brokerage account, and any other provided or supported by thefinancial institution. In certain aspects, user data may also includeinformation identifying investments held by one or more customers of thefinancial institution (e.g., positions in one or more securities held bythe customers). Information within user data may also identify, for asingle customer, one or more accounts associated with the user and datacorresponding to the accounts (e.g., account, expiration dateinformation, card number information, card security codes, PINs, accountbalance information, credit limit information, account activity, etc.).In other aspects, user data may include other kinds of accountinformation such as membership accounts for services or activities(e.g., a gym membership, prescription drug information, a library card,employment identification, student records information, governmentrecords information, etc.). Other types of user data may be stored andused by the disclosed embodiments.

In some embodiments, environment 100 may also include one or moreauthentication terminals 152. An authentication terminal may include acomputing system configured to exchange information over a network(e.g., an authentication network 120) consistent with the disclosedembodiments. For example, in one aspect, authentication terminal 152 mayexchange information with client device 112 and authentication partnersystems 132 and 142 over authentication network 120 to facilitate theprocessing of authentication transactions. In certain aspects,authentication terminal 152 may include one or more servers or datarepositories, and may include distributed computing systems for handlingprocesses consistent with the disclosed embodiments. In some aspects,authentication terminal 152 may constitute a separate computing systemin communication with client device 112 and/or authentication network120. For example, authentication terminal 152 may include a kioskdisposed at a physical location, an existing terminal (e.g., a registerat a merchant store, an ATM, etc.), or the like. In other embodiments,authentication terminal 152 may include client device 112, and anyprocess disclosed herein with respect to an authentication terminal maytake place on client device 112 (and vice versa).

In some aspects, authentication terminal 152 may be configured toreceive, obtain, process, and transmit information over communicationsnetworks or pathways separate from authentication network 120. Forexample, in one embodiment, authentication terminal may be configured toexchange information with other devices (e.g., client device 112,another authentication terminal 152, etc.) over a secondarycommunications network such as a LAN, WAN (e.g., the Internet), WiFi,near-field communication (NFC) field, Bluetooth™ connection, cellularnetwork, wired/wireless connection, etc. In some embodiments,authentication terminal 152 may include or interface with auxiliarydevices facilitating the obtaining, transmitting, processing, routing,and storing of information. For example, authentication terminal 152 mayinclude a visual code scanners (e.g., for reading linear or matrixcodes), card readers (e.g., for reading debit cards, credit cards,student ID cards, etc.), image scanners (e.g., for scanning images ofchecks, processing MICR data, etc.), NFC receivers (e.g., to receivemobile wallet payments), Bluetooth devices, biometric scanners, and thelike. In another example, authentication terminal 152 may be configuredto process information (e.g., information received from client device112), determine the proper destination system based on the processing,and route the information to the proper destination.

In certain aspects, authentication terminal 152 may be associated with ahost 150. Host 150 may be any kind of entity capable of housingauthentication terminal 152 or managing information processed therefrom.For example, in some embodiments, host 150 may include entities such asa merchant, a business, a place of work, a government agency, aneducational institution, a financial institution, a library, atransportation hub (e.g., an airport, train station, bus stop, parkinggarage, etc.), a gas station, a convenience store, an electroniccommerce provider, and the like. In some embodiments, authenticationterminal 152 may represent a point-of-sale (POS) module associated withhost 150. Authentication terminal 152 may be configured to perform knownPOS processes, and may be disposed at a physical location associatedwith host 150 (e.g., as a kiosk, computer, incorporated into anothercomputing device such as a register, etc.). For example, authenticationterminal 152 may be implemented with processors or other computersystems configured to execute software instructions to transmit andreceive data across a communications network (e.g., authenticationnetwork 120) and process POS transactions. In other aspects,authentication terminal 152 may not be associated with a particularhost. For example, in one embodiment, an authentication terminal mayinclude a user's personal client device 112, a standalone terminal, andso on.

In some embodiments, environment 100 may also include authenticationnetwork 120. In some aspects, authentication network 120 may representany type of communication network or medium of digital communication fortransmitting information between computing devices. For example,authentication network 120 may include a LAN, a wireless LAN, a cellularnetwork, an RF network, a NFC network (e.g., a WiFi network), a wirelessMetropolitan Area Network (MAN) connecting multiple wireless LANs, NFCcommunication link(s), any physical wired connection (e.g., via an I/Oport), and a WAN (e.g., the Internet). In some embodiments,authentication network 120 may be secured through physical encryption(e.g., line encryption), by requiring information to be encrypted onother computer systems (e.g., end encryption), and the like.

In certain aspects, authentication network 120 may include anyaccessible network or networks interconnected via one or morecommunication protocols, including hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP)and transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP).Communications protocols consistent with the disclosed embodiments alsoinclude protocols facilitating data transfer using radio frequencyidentification (RFID) communications and/or NFC. In some aspects,authentication network 120 may also include one or more mobile devicenetworks, such as a GSM network or a PCS network, allowing devices(e.g., authentication terminal 152 or client device 112) to send andreceive data via applicable communications protocols, including thosedescribed herein.

In some aspects, authentication network 120 may be include or beassociated with one or more computer systems and related components(e.g., servers, data repositories, processors, software instructions,databases, etc.) consistent with the disclosed embodiments. In oneembodiment, for example, authentication network 120 may be associatedwith, operated by, or managed by an authentication partner system (e.g.,system 132). In other embodiments, authentication network 120 may beimplemented with a computer-based system (e.g., the computer system 200of FIG. 2).

In some embodiments, authentication network 120 may also includeinterfaces for providing communication among components of environment100. For example, authentication network 120 may be configured withcomponents and software that, when executed, receive information fromcomputing devices (e.g., an authentication terminal 152, a client device112, an authentication partner system 132, etc.). In some aspects,authentication network 120 may be configured to process the receivedinformation and provide the processed information to other computingsystems (e.g., authentication partner 132). In one example,authentication terminal 152 may receive information from client device112, process the information, and transmit the information toauthentication network 120 for further processing and routing. Inanother example, authentication network 120 may be configured to receiveinformation from other systems (e.g., authentication partner system132), process the information, and route the information to othercomputing systems such as a second authentication partner system (e.g.,system 142), authentication terminal 152, client device 112, and thelike.

Authentication network 120 may be configured to process information,determine where to route the information based on the processing, andprovide the information to other computer systems (e.g., authenticationpartner system 132 or 142, authentication terminal 152, etc.). In someaspects, authentication network 120 may be configured to performauthentication check processes that determine whether the informationinvolves an authentication transaction or other transaction (e.g., asale of goods or services, account balance check, etc.), and processand/or route the information accordingly. In one aspect, authenticationnetwork 120 may perform certain processes, route the information toproper destination systems (e.g., particular systems of anauthentication partner 130), and provide other functionalitiesconsistent with the disclosed embodiments upon recognizing informationassociated with an authentication transaction. For example,authentication network 120 may be configured to determine whetherinformation received from a computer system (e.g., authenticationterminal 152) associated with an authentication transaction has beenprocessed, validated, authenticated, confirmed, etc., and if not,conduct further processing and provide the information to differentsystems based on the determination.

In certain aspects, authentication network 120 may comprise, include, orimplement existing communication and routing networks. For example, inone aspect, authentication network 120 may include a payment networkcomprising one or more computer systems associated with a paymenttechnology such as a financial account payment service provider (e.g.,credit card payment networks such as VISA™, Mastercard™, etc.). Incertain aspects, the payment network may include or implement any of thecomputing systems, processes, or functionalities consistent with theauthentication network 120. For example, the payment network may includeone or more processors, servers, data storages, etc., and may beconfigured to process received information and route the information toappropriate systems. The payment network may be configured to processreceived information in accordance with known payment network processesand route the information to other systems for additional processing.

In some aspects, authentication network 120, authentication terminal152, and/or an authentication partner system (e.g., system 132) mayinclude a computer (e.g., a personal computer, network computer, server,mainframe computer, etc.) having one or more processors selectivelyactivated or reconfigured by a computer program. Such a computer may beconfigured as a particular computing system based on execution ofsoftware instructions that perform one or more processes consistent withthe disclosed embodiments. In certain aspects, authentication network120, authentication terminal 152, and/or an authentication partnersystem may be incorporated as corresponding nodes in a distributednetwork, and/or as corresponding networked servers in a cloud-computingenvironment. In one embodiment, authentication network 120,authentication terminal 152, and/or an authentication partner system maycommunicate with one or more additional servers that facilitate thedistribution of processes for parallel execution by the additionalservers.

While FIG. 1 depicts environment 100 with a certain number of clientdevices 112, authentication terminals 152, and authentication partnersystems 132 and 142, environment 100 may contain any number of suchcomputing systems consistent with the disclosed embodiments. Forexample, environment 100 may include a plurality of client devices 112,each associated with a plurality of users 110. Similarly, environment100 may include a plurality of authentication terminals 152, eachassociating with one or more hosts 150. In certain aspects, environment100 may include three or more authentication partner systems, which eachmay associate with one or more authentication partners. Environment 100may also include additional authentication networks, communicationnetworks, and other networks not shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of exemplary computer system 200 withwhich certain aspects consistent with the disclosed embodiments may beimplemented. For example, in some aspects, computer system 200 mayreflect computer systems associated with client device 112,authentication terminal 152, authentication partner system 132 or 142,authentication network 120, and the like. In some embodiments, computersystem 200 may include one or more processors 202 connected to acommunications backbone 206 such as a bus or external communicationsnetwork (e.g., any medium of digital data communication such as a LAN,MAN, WAN, cellular network, WiFi network, NFC link, Bluetooth, GSMnetwork, PCS network, authentication network 120, and any associatedprotocols such as HTTP, TCP/IP, RFID, etc.).

In certain aspects, computer system 200 may include main memory 208.Main memory 208 may comprise random access memory (RAM) representing atangible and non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computerprograms, sets of instructions, code, or data executed with processor202. When executed by processor 202, such instructions, computerprograms, etc., enable processor 202 to perform one or more processes orfunctions consistent with the disclosed embodiments. In some aspects,such instructions may include machine code (e.g., from a compiler)and/or files containing code that processor 202 may execute with aninterpreter.

In some aspects, main memory 208 may also include or connect to asecondary memory 210. Secondary memory 210 may include a disk drive 212(e.g., HDD, SSD), and/or a removable storage drive 214, such as amagnetic tape drive, flash memory, an optical disk drive, CD/DVD drive,or the like. The removable storage drive 214 may read from and/or writeto a removable storage unit 218 in a manner known to the skilledartisan. Removable storage unit 218 may represent a magnetic tape,optical disk, or other storage medium that is read by and written to byremovable storage drive 214, Removable storage unit 218 may represent atangible and non-transitory computer-readable medium having storedtherein computer programs, sets of instructions, code, or data to beexecuted by processor 202.

In other embodiments, secondary memory 210 may include other means forallowing computer programs or other program instructions to be loadedinto d computer system 200. Such means may include, for example, anotherremovable storage unit 218 or an interface 220. An example of such meansmay include a removable memory chip (e.g., EPROM, RAM, ROM, DRAM,EEPROM, flash memory devices, or other volatile or nonvolatile memorydevices) and associated socket, or other removable storage units 218 andinterfaces 220, which allow instructions and data to be transferred fromthe removable storage unit 218 to computer system 200.

Computer system 200 may also include one or more communicationsinterfaces 224. Communications interface 224 may allow software and datato be transferred between computer system 200 and external systems(e.g., in addition to backbone 206). Communications interface 224 mayinclude a modem, a network interface (e.g., an Ethernet card), acommunications port, a PCMCIA slot and card, etc. Communicationsinterface 224 may transfer software and data in the form of signals,which may be electronic, electromagnetic, optical or other signalscapable of being received by communications interface 224. These signalsmay be provided to communications interface 224 via a communicationspath (i.e., channel 228). Channel 228 carries signals and may beimplemented using wire, cable, fiber optics, RF link, and/or othercommunications channels. In one embodiment, the signals comprise datapackets sent to processor 202. Information representing processedpackets may also be sent in the form of signals from processor 202through communications path 228.

In certain aspects, the computer-implemented methods described hereincan be implemented on a single processor of a computer system, such asprocessor 202 of computer system 200. In other embodiments, thesecomputer-implemented methods may be implemented using one or moreprocessors within a single computer system and/or on one or moreprocessors within separate computer systems in communication over anetwork.

In certain embodiments in connection with FIG. 2, the terms “storagedevice” and “storage medium” may refer to particular devices including,but not limited to, main memory 208, secondary memory 210, a hard diskinstalled in hard disk drive 212, and removable storage unit 218.Further, the term “computer-readable medium” may refer to devicesincluding, but not limited to, a hard disk installed in hard disk drive212, any combination of main memory 208 and secondary memory 210, andremovable storage unit 218, which may respectively provide computerprograms and/or sets of instructions to processor 202 of computer system200. Such computer programs and sets of instructions can be storedwithin one or more computer-readable media. In certain aspects, computerprograms and sets of instructions may also be received viacommunications interface 224 and stored on the one or morecomputer-readable media.

The disclosed embodiments include systems, methods, andcomputer-readable mediums storing instructions that, when executed by aprocessor(s), perform operations for authenticating users. In someembodiments, authenticating a user may comprise any process relating toan authentication transaction. In one aspect, the disclosed embodimentsinclude systems, methods, and apparatuses for authenticatingtransactions based on prior, trusted authentications without requiringthe user to provide information typically associated with suchauthentication transactions. In one embodiment, the systems, methods,and apparatuses consistent with the disclosed embodiments providetrusted networks of user authentications to validate any kind ofauthentication transaction.

FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of an exemplary authentication transactionrequest and confirmation process 300 consistent with the disclosedembodiments. In certain aspects, a user may initiate processesassociated with conducting an authentication transaction by providinginput via client device 112. For example, a user may, through clientdevice 112, provide an authentication transaction request to a computersystem configured to process authentication transactions, such as anauthentication partner system 132 or 142 (step 302). In certainembodiments, an authentication transaction request may reflect a requestto authenticate a user for a particular authentication transaction.

For example, a user may provide an authentication transaction request toan authentication partner system (e.g., system 132) associated with afinancial institution for authorization to open a new bank account,apply for credit, or any other kind of authentication transactionsupported by the authentication partner system. In another example, auser may submit an authentication transaction request to anauthentication partner system associated with a governmental entity torenew a driver's license, apply for a vehicle registration or huntinglicense, set up a forwarding address, and other such authenticationtransactions. In certain aspects, the authentication transaction requestmay correspond to any kind of authentication transaction consistent withthe disclosed embodiments. As described in connection with certainembodiments, an authentication partner system receiving anauthentication transaction request may be, for exemplary purposes only,referred to as an authenticating partner system.

In some aspects, the authentication transaction request may accompany,include, or require other information necessary to conduct or processthe authentication transaction. In certain embodiments, this informationmay comprise any type of user data (e.g., user name, credentials,passwords, addresses, government identifiers, device information, etc.)consistent with the authentication transaction. For example, if a usersubmits an authentication transaction request associated with opening achecking account, an authenticating partner system associated with thehost bank may require the user to register user data such as the user'sname, address, login credentials for online services (e.g., user name,password, security question, etc.), social security number, and/or otheruser information to complete the registration process. In someembodiments, the authentication transaction request may include otherinformation related to the request, such as the time, date, and/or placeof the request.

In certain aspects, the extent and nature of the user data required inthe authentication transaction request may depend on the user (e.g.,high-risk users may require more detailed data), the authenticatingpartner system (e.g., based on internal guidelines established by theauthentication partner), the authentication transaction (e.g., applyingfor credit may require different data than registering for a passport),the client device used to provide the request (e.g., high-risk devicesmay require more detailed data), or any other factor consistent with thedisclosed embodiments. In one aspect, user 110 may provide thisinformation through client device 112 in order to initiate processing ofthe authentication transaction request associated with an authenticatingpartner system (e.g., system 132).

In some embodiments, client device 112 may be configured to receive anauthentication code generated by an authenticating partner system (e.g.,system 132) in response to the authentication transaction request (step304). In certain aspects, the authentication code may identify anauthentication transaction request and any information included therein.The authentication code may comprise an encoded message, picture,representation, or take any other form consistent with the disclosedembodiments. For example, the authentication code may comprise anyalphanumeric, symbolic, graphical, pictorial, visual, biometric, and/oraudial expression for identifying the authentication transactionrequest. In one example, the authentication code may comprise a visualcode (e.g., a linear or matrix visual code such as a QR code) encodinginformation corresponding to the authentication transaction request andother information. In another example, the authentication code maycomprise an alphanumeric passcode configured for input into anothercomputing device (e.g., authentication terminal 152).

In certain aspects, client device 112 may be configured to receive theauthentication code over any communications network consistent with thedisclosed embodiments. For example, client device 112 may receive anauthentication code from an authenticating partner system via theinternet, a cellular network, an NFC field, Bluetooth, a wiredconnection, and the like. In certain aspects, an authentication code maybe configured to initiate processes consistent with the disclosedembodiments. For example, an authentication code may be configured toinitiate certain processes when provided to an authentication network120.

In some embodiments, client device 112 may receive additionalinformation not encoded in the authentication code. In certain aspects,client device 112 may receive messages (e.g., e-mails, text messages,automated voice messages, pop notifications on a mobile device or webapplication, etc.) explaining the import of the authentication code. Insome aspects, the message may also provide instructions explaining howto use the authentication code. For example, the message may include alist of one or more vendors, locations, terminals, kiosks, or otherplaces authorized and/or capable of reading, scanning, accepting,receiving, or otherwise processing the authentication code.

In some aspects, client device 112 may be configured to provide anauthentication code over a network (e.g., authentication network 120) orto a computing system in communication with the network, such asauthentication terminal 152 (step 306). In some embodiments, a user mayprovide the authentication code to the authentication network (e.g., viaclient device 112) to facilitate approval of an authenticationtransaction. In certain aspects, client device 112 may also beconfigured to provide other information to the authentication network(e.g., directly, via authentication terminal 152, etc.) along with theauthentication code. In some aspects, the authentication code andaccompanying information (if any) may constitute authentication data. Incertain aspects, authentication data may comprise an authentication codeand any user data consistent with the disclosed embodiments. Forexample, information transmitted with an authentication code may includedevice information, a user's personal information, credentialinformation, information related to the underlying authenticationtransaction, information related to other accounts or servicesassociated with a user, any other kind of user data, and the like.

In certain embodiments, authentication data may also include informationdescribing the time, place, and/or manner of the data provided fromclient device 112 to the authentication network 120, or from clientdevice 112 to an authentication terminal 152. For example,authentication data may include the time of data exchange with anauthentication terminal 152, the location of the data exchange, otherinformation related to the authentication terminal (e.g., a serialnumber, manufacturer), information relating to a host associated withthe terminal (e.g., the host's name, the type of host entity, the host'sauthentication transaction history, etc.), and the like. Authenticationdata may comprise any other kind of information consistent with thedisclosed embodiments. In some aspects, the nature and extent ofauthentication data required or transmitted may depend on the underlyingauthentication transaction, the client device, the authenticationterminal, the authentication partner systems associated with theauthentication transaction, the user, and other factors.

In some embodiments, one or more authentication partner systems (e.g.,systems 132 and 142) may be configured to validate and authenticate anauthentication transaction over authentication network 120 based on theauthentication data provided to the network. In one aspect, clientdevice 112 may be configured to receive an authentication confirmationreflecting a determination whether the authentication transaction hasbeen validated and/or approved by the networked computing systems (step308). For example, client device 112 may be configured to receive anauthentication confirmation indicating that a new bank account has beenopened for a user, the user's passport has been renewed, an applicationfor credit has been approved, and so on.

The authentication confirmation may take any form capable of informingthe user that the transaction has been processed. For example, theauthentication confirmation may include a written or pictorial message(e.g., e-mail, SMS text, pop notification in a mobile application, alertin a software program, etc.), a haptic response (e.g., a vibration), oraudial message (e.g., recorded voice message, audible tone, etc.).Client device 112 may receive the authentication confirmation fromanother computer system (e.g., an authentication partner system, anauthentication terminal 152, etc.), and may receive the authenticationconfirmation over any communications network. Client device 112 may beconfigured to receive other kinds of confirmation messages or dataconsistent with the disclosed embodiments.

The disclosed embodiments include systems and methods for transmittingauthentication data to an authentication network 120. For example, FIG.4 depicts a flowchart of an exemplary authentication data transmissionprocess 400 consistent with the disclosed embodiments. In some aspects,an authentication terminal 152 may be configured to receiveauthentication data and transmit the authentication data to anauthentication network 120 to conduct processes consistent with thedisclosed embodiments (step 402). In certain aspects, the receivedauthentication data may include an authentication code (e.g., generatedby an authenticating partner system), and/or other informationassociated with the transaction code (e.g., consistent with theembodiments disclosed in connection with FIGS. 3 and 6). In someaspects, an authentication terminal 152 may include a client device 112configured to directly communicate with authentication network 120. Inother aspects, authentication terminal 152 may include a separatecomputing device separate from client device 112. For example, in oneembodiment, authentication terminal 152 may include a POS devicedisposed at a physical location associated with a host 150.

In some aspects, authentication terminal 152 may be configured toreceive authentication data via direct input. In certain embodiments,direct input may include input delivered to a keyboard, keypad,interactive interface, touchscreen display, or other componentconfigured to receive input representing the authentication data. Forexample, an operator of the authentication terminal 152 (e.g., user 110or another entity) may provide input representing an alphanumericauthentication code to the authentication terminal via a keyboard. Insome aspects, the operator of authentication terminal 152 may provideinput to the input devices reflecting any kind of authentication data(e.g., any user data such as names, addresses, phone numbers, PINs,account numbers, etc.). For example, authentication terminal 152 may beconfigured to receive a PIN associated with a user's bank card viadirect input into a keyboard, keypad, touchscreen, or similar inputdevice.

In certain embodiments, authentication terminal 152 may receiveauthentication data from other computing systems (e.g., client device112) over a communications network (e.g., WAN, LAN, cellular network,Bluetooth, etc.). For example, in one aspect, user 110 may provide inputto client device 112 representing authentication data (e.g., anauthentication code and/or associated information), and authenticationterminal 152 may be configured to receive the input over thecommunications network. In some embodiments, authentication terminal 152may include auxiliary devices such as visual code scanners, imagescanners, NFC receivers, etc. configured to read, scan, interpret, andprocess information on client device 112. For example, authenticationterminal 152 may include visual code scanner configured to scan matrixbarcodes (e.g., a OR code) displayed on client device 112 representingan authentication code. In another example, authentication terminal 152may include an NFC receiver or other wireless payment technologies toreceive digital payment information (e.g., Google Wallet™, or otherknown electronic wallet technologies). Authentication terminal 152 maybe configured to read and/or generate authentication data based on theinformation encoded in an authentication code or stored within clientdevice 112.

In some embodiments, authentication terminal 152 may be configured toreceive and generate authentication data from objects other than clientdevices. In some aspects, authentication terminal 152 may include orcommunicate with card readers, code scanners, image scanners, receivers,biometric scanners, or other devices capable of receiving, generating,and processing authentication data. For example, authentication terminal152 may include a card reader configured to read transaction cards(e.g., credit cards, debit cards, student identification cards, driver'slicenses, prepaid cards, passports, etc.) to obtain and/or generateauthentication data therefrom (e.g., a card number, expiration date,bank identification number, routing number, security codes, studentidentification number, any other user data, etc.). In another example,authentication terminal 152 may include a visual code scanner (e.g., atwo-dimensional imager) configured to scan visual codes on cards,papers, documents, products, and other objects to generateauthentication data. In certain embodiments, authentication terminal 152may include hardware or software instructions to assist with processingthe information obtained and generated from objects such as cards,papers, client devices, etc. For example, authentication terminal 152may be configured to perform optical character recognition (OCR) torecognize and interpret text and other information (e.g., MICR data) onpapers, financial instruments (e.g., checks), licenses, and the like.

In some embodiments, authentication terminal 152 may be configured togenerate additional authentication data consistent with the disclosedembodiments (step 404). In certain aspects, authentication terminal 152may be configured to generate information reflecting the time, place,and/or manner of the data provided to the authentication terminal orauthentication network 120. For example, in one embodiment,authentication terminal 152 may be configured to generate authenticationdata reflecting time information (e.g., the time at which the terminalreceived authentication data from client device 112), locationinformation (e.g., the physical location of the terminal), terminalinformation (e.g., serial number, ID number), host identity information(e.g., the name and/or address of a host 150 associated with theterminal), host type information (e.g., the types of goods or servicesoffered by the host 150 such as a gas station, library, governmentagency, financial institution, etc.), and the like. In some aspects,other computing devices in communication with authentication network 120may use these types of authentication data to conduct processesconsistent with the disclosed embodiments.

In certain aspects, authentication terminal 152 may be configured totransmit any portion of the obtained, generated, and/or processedauthentication data to authentication network 120 (step 406). In someembodiments, the authentication terminal 152 may be configured to othertransmit information to computing systems of environment 100. Forexample, in one embodiment, authentication terminal 152 may beconfigured to identify an authenticating partner system associated withan authentication transaction (e.g., via scanning an authenticationcode), and provide a notification to the authenticating partner systemreflecting that the code has been scanned. In certain aspects, thiscommunication may take place over authentication network 120 and/or asecondary communications network (e.g., the internet). In certainaspects, authentication terminal 152 may be configured to provide otherinformation consistent with the disclosed embodiments. For example, inone aspect, authentication terminal 152 may be configured to receiveinformation related to validating an authentication transaction (e.g.,as discussed in connection with FIG. 5), and provide the information toanother computer system connected to authentication network 120.

Consistent with aspects of the disclosed embodiments, additionalcomputing components connected to the authentication network may beconfigured to validate and authenticate an authentication transactionreflected in the authentication data. In certain embodiments,authentication terminal 152 may be configured to receive anauthentication confirmation representing that the authenticationtransaction has been approved (e.g., by the authenticating partnersystem) (step 408). The authentication confirmation may take any formconsistent with the disclosed embodiments (e.g., an e-mail, SMS text,audial tone, vibration, etc.), and may be received via any suitablecommunications network (e.g., the internet, authentication network 120,etc.). In some aspects, authentication terminal 152 may be configured toprovide the authentication confirmation to a client device 112 (e.g.,the device storing the authentication code, another client device, etc.)(step 410). In other aspects, authentication terminal 152 may notreceive an authentication confirmation, and/or may not provide theauthentication confirmation to client device 112.

In certain embodiments, authentication terminal 152 may be configured toretrieve, obtain, receive, or collect other information from systemsconnected to authentication network 120. In some aspects, authenticationterminal 152 may be configured to determine the identity of anauthenticating partner system based on received authentication data, andobtain additional instructions, information, or data from the identifiedsystem. In some embodiments, the additional instructions may reflecttypes or instances of authentication data required to perform theauthentication transaction. In one example, authentication terminal 152may be configured to receive authentication data related to a requestfor renewing a concealed carry permit, and recognize, based on thereceived authentication data, that the request relates to a concealedcarry transaction. In some embodiments, the authentication terminal 152may be configured to determine the appropriate authenticating entitysystem associated with the transaction (e.g., a circuit court system),and determine the remaining authentication data required from thecustomer (e.g., the user's name, Social Security number, address,current permit number, date of birth, etc.). The terminal may receivethis information via direct input, client device 112, or a computingsystem connected to authentication network 120 (e.g., another partnersystem), etc., and include the required information in authenticationdata provided to the authentication network 120.

Aspects of the disclosed embodiments include systems and methods forvalidating an authentication transaction. FIG. 5 depicts a flowchart ofan exemplary validation process 500 consistent with the disclosedembodiments. In some aspects, an authentication partner system (e.g.,system 142) may be configured to receive authentication data (e.g., anauthentication code and accompanying information) transmitted overauthentication network 120 to conduct processes consistent with thedisclosed embodiments (step 502). In certain aspects, an authenticationpartner system may be configured to perform processes consistent withvalidating an authentication transaction associated with the receivedauthentication data (step 504). In some embodiments, validating anauthentication transaction may reflect preliminary determination whetherto authenticate a user for the transaction (e.g., whether to open a bankaccount, approve an application for credit, renew a license, etc.),whether the information included in the authentication data is accurate,and other determinations consistent with the disclosed embodiments.

As described in connection with certain embodiments, a computing systemvalidating an authentication transaction may be, for exemplary purposesonly, referred to as a validating partner system. In certain aspects, avalidating partner system may be associated with an authenticationpartner representing a financial institution, government entity,business enterprise, educational entity, entity associated withauthentication network 120, a user, or any other entity consistent withthe disclosed embodiments.

In some embodiments, a validating partner system may be configured toreceive, process, and/or interpret authentication data to determine theinformation required to validate an authentication transaction. Incertain aspects, the information that may be used to validate anauthentication transaction may be referred to as validation data. Insome aspects, validation data may include information associated with aprior authentication event. In certain aspects, a prior authenticationevent may include any past authentication transaction processed by thevalidating partner system. For example, in one embodiment, a priorauthentication event may include the opening of a bank account, issuanceof a government license (e.g., driver's license, passport, etc.),application for credit, issuance of a library card, gym membershipregistration, or any other authentication transaction consistent withthe disclosed embodiments.

In certain aspects, the validating partner system may be configured tostore information associated with a prior authentication event as userdata. For example, the validating partner system may store informationreflecting a user's personal information, credential information,financial account information (e.g., account numbers, PIN, routingnumber, bank identifiers, etc.), public or private records information,or any other type of user data consistent with an authenticationtransaction. In some embodiments, the user data may be received fromclient device 112, generated on the validating partner system, receivedor obtained from other computing systems, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, validation data may include other information(e.g., other user data) not related to a prior authentication event, andany aspect of user data stored within the validating partner system mayconstitute validation data. In some aspects, for instance, a validatingpartner system may be configured to receive, obtain, store, and/orgenerate one or more validation conditions as user data. In certainaspects, a validation condition may specify circumstances governingwhether an authentication transaction should be validated (or notvalidated). In some embodiments, a validating partner system may beconfigured to validate an authentication transaction only when the oneor more validation conditions are met. In one aspect, the validationconditions may include a time condition reflecting one or more timeperiods during which a process associated with the authenticationtransaction must occur. In some aspects, a process associated with theauthentication transaction may include any transaction event such as atransaction terminal 152 receiving or transmitting authentication data,a validating partner system receiving authentication data, a validatingpartner system validating an authentication transaction (e.g.,generating validation information), an authentication partner receivingor processing validation information, and the like. For example, a timecondition may specify a time period during which an authenticatingterminal 152 system must receive authentication data from a clientdevice 112. If the validating partner system determines that theterminal did not receive authentication data during this time (e.g.,based on its own processes or as included in the authentication data),then the system may not validate the authentication transaction.

In certain aspects, the validation conditions may include a locationcondition reflecting one or more geographical ranges in which a processassociated with the authentication transaction must occur. For example,a location condition may specify a geographical extent in which anauthentication terminal 152 must reside. In some aspects, the validatingpartner system may not validate the authentication transaction if itdetermines that the authentication network 120 received authenticationdata from a terminal outside the predefined range. In certainembodiments, the validation conditions may also include: an entitycondition (e.g., reflecting one or more entities in which a process mustoccur), an entity type condition (e.g., reflecting one or more entitytypes in which a process must occur), a validator condition (e.g.,reflecting one or more systems authorized to validate an authenticationtransaction), a frequency condition (e.g., reflecting a maximum numberof times an entity may authenticate a transaction), a necessary datacondition (e.g., reflecting information that must subsist in theauthentication data and/or subsist in a particular format), and thelike.

In some embodiments, the extent and type of validation conditions maydepend on the authentication transaction, the authentication partnersystems involved in the authentication transaction, and other factors.For example, an authentication transaction may require a user to swipe atransaction card having a magnetic stripe through a corresponding readerat an authentication terminal 152. Additionally or alternatively, thetransaction card may represent an EMV card (e.g., a chip card orintegrated-circuit (IC) card compliant with the Europay MasterCard Visa(EMV) standard), the authentication transaction may require the user tophysically insert the EMV card into authentication terminal 152 or tobring the EMV card into proximity to authentication terminal 152 (e.g.,to transfer information using radio-frequency (RF) communicationprotocols, near-field communication (NFC) protocols, etc.). In certainaspects, the validation conditions may include, but are not limited to,a card frequency condition reflecting a maximum number of times aparticular transaction card may be used to provide authentication datafor processing an authentication transaction.

The disclosed embodiments are, however, not limited to authenticationprocesses and authentication transactions that require physicaltransaction cards (e.g., cards with magnetic stripes and/or EMV cards).For example, client device 112 may store mobile-wallet data associatedwith transaction accounts held by user 110 (e.g., credit card accounts,debit card accounts, etc.), and further, may execute one or moreapplication programs that establish a mobile wallet including thetransaction accounts on client device 112. In some aspects, tofacilitate authentication transactions consistent with the disclosedembodiments, user 110 may dispose client device 112 in proximity to acorresponding receiver of authentication terminal 152 (e.g., an NFCreader). Client device 112 may, for example, establish wirelesscommunications with the corresponding reader and may transmitinformation identifying at least one of the transaction accounts toauthentication terminal 152 (e.g., using NFC protocols, Bluetooth™communications protocols, etc.). In certain aspects, the validationconditions may include an additional card frequency condition thatreflects a maximum number of times a particular transaction account mayprovide authentication data for processing the authenticationtransaction.

Other kinds of validation conditions will be apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art based on consideration and practice of thedisclosed embodiments. In some aspects, validation conditions may beestablished by a user (e.g., provided to client device 112), generatedby the validating partner system, or both. The validating partner systemmay be configured to allow a user to add, delete, or modify certainvalidation conditions (e.g., by providing interactive input fields to aclient device 112).

In certain aspects, the validating partner system may be configured tocompare the received authentication data with the validation data (e.g.,based on a prior authentication event, validation conditions, etc.), anddetermine whether the authentication data is consistent with thevalidation data based on the comparison. In some aspects, the validatingpartner system may be configured to assess whether portions of thevalidation data match those of the authentication data (e.g., whether astored PIN for a user matches a PIN the user entered at anauthentication terminal 152). In some embodiments, the validatingpartner system may determine whether the validation data sufficientlyaddresses the information required to validate the transaction (e.g.,whether the validation data or authentication data is missing orincomplete). In certain aspects, the validating partner system may alsodetermine whether to validate the authentication transaction based oncomparing the authentication data to the validation conditions to ensurethat all the conditions have been satisfied (e.g., the authenticationterminal from which the authentication data was received resides withinthe geographical boundary set in a location condition). In certainembodiments, the validating partner system may determine to validate anauthentication transaction when the authentication data is consistentwith the validation data.

In certain embodiments, a validating partner system may be configured togenerate validation information based on the validation processes (step506). In some aspects, validation information may include thedetermination whether to validate the user for an underlyingauthentication transaction. For example, in one embodiment, validationinformation may reflect that the validating partner system has validateda user for opening a new bank account, applying for a license, etc. Incertain aspects, validation information may also include otherinformation related to the validation determination, such as validationdata (e.g., the time of the validation, etc.), information reflected inor derived from user data stored in the validating partner system,routing information (e.g., reflecting destination systems to which anauthentication network should route the validation information, such asanother validating partner system or an authenticating partner system),and the like. Any aspect of stored user data may be included in thevalidation information. For example, in an authentication transactionassociated with renewing a passport, validation information may includethe user's date of birth, address, passport number, account numbers,etc. Validation information may include any other type of informationconsistent with the disclosed embodiments.

In other aspects, a validating partner system may be configured toprovide validation data to another system of environment 100 (e.g.,authentication terminal 152, an authenticating partner system, etc.)without generating validation information. For example, a validatingpartner system may provide validation data to the relevantauthenticating partner system so that the authenticating partner systemcan authenticate the authentication transaction without receiving apreliminary validation from the validating partner system. In anotherexample, a validating partner system may provide validation data to anauthentication terminal 152 so that another system (e.g., the terminal)may validate the authentication transaction.

In some aspects, certain processes associated with validating anauthentication transaction may occur automatically (e.g., by processorsrunning on a validating partner system server), manually (e.g., by usersor operators providing input to the system), or both. For example, inone embodiment, a validating partner system may include a client deviceassociated with a user operator different from the user associated withthe authentication transaction request. In certain aspects, the clientdevice (as a validating partner system) may receive the authenticationdata, conduct processing to render the data in a human-readable format,and provide the data to the user operator. In some embodiments, the useroperator may provide input to the device reflecting a determinationwhether to validate the user associated with the authenticationtransaction request (e.g., the entity the user operator is validating)based on any process consistent with the disclosed embodiments. Forexample, a user operator may receive a notification representing thatanother user has requested authentication for a particularauthentication transaction. In this example, the authentication dataincluded in the request may include the requestor's name, address, andother personal information. The user operator of the client device (asvalidating partner system) may provide input to the device reflectingthat the requestor's provided name, address, and other information iscorrect. Any number of validating users may exist in this manner,creating a network of user validators.

In some embodiments, a validating partner system may be configured totransmit generated validation information to an authentication network120 (step 508). In some aspects, other computing systems communicatingwith network 120 may be configured to receive the validation information(and other information) over the network to conduct additionalprocessing. For example, other computing systems may receive validationdata over the network to revalidate the authentication transaction,validate portions of the transaction not validated by the originatingvalidating partner system, or authenticate (e.g., approve) theunderlying authentication transaction consistent with the disclosedembodiments.

In certain aspects, a validating partner system may be configured toprovide a validation confirmation to authentication network 120 (step510). In certain embodiments, a validation confirmation may reflect thatthe validating partner system has validated (or not validated) anauthentication transaction in whole or part. In some embodiments,authentication network 120 may be configured to transmit the validationconfirmation to other computer systems (e.g., authentication terminal152, client device 112, etc.) for use in processes consistent with thedisclosed embodiments. Additionally or alternatively, the validatingpartner system may be configured to provide the validation confirmationto other computer systems directly (e.g., via a communications network).The validation confirmation may take any form consistent with thedisclosed embodiments (e.g., an e-mail, text message, pop notification,voice message, haptic response, etc.). In other embodiments, thevalidating partner system may not transmit a validation confirmation tonetwork 120.

In some aspects, a validating partner system may be configured toreceive and process validation information in addition to, or in lieuof, authentication data. In certain embodiments, the validating partnersystem may conduct processes consistent with validating anauthentication transaction using validation information as an additionalor alternative input to authentication data. In one aspect, thevalidating partner system may receive validation information (e.g.,generated by another validating partner system) and/or authenticationdata from authentication network 120, and validate the authenticationtransaction consistent with the disclosed embodiments. For example,validating partner system may receive prior validation informationgenerated from another validating partner system, identify the requiredvalidation data to authenticate the authentication transaction, comparethe prior validation information to the validation data, and generate asecond set of validation information. In certain aspects, the second setof validation information may revalidate prior validation information(e.g., verify the prior validation is correct), validate portions of theauthentication transaction not addressed in the prior validation (e.g.,due to missing or incomplete data), or any other refinement consistentwith the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 6 depicts a flowchart of an exemplary authentication transactionreceipt and confirmation process 600 consistent with the disclosedembodiments. In some aspects, an authentication partner system (e.g., anauthenticating partner system) may be configured to receive anauthentication transaction request and associated data from clientdevice 112 (step 602). The authentication transaction request may beconfigured in various formats or forms and may include informationconsistent with the disclosed embodiments (e.g., consistent with theembodiments disclosed in connection with FIG. 3). For example, theauthenticating partner system may be configured to provide a web serviceor mobile application through which users input information associatedwith an authentication transaction request. In certain aspects, theauthenticating partner system may be configured to receive anauthentication transaction request and other information over anycommunications network consistent with the disclosed embodiments (e.g.,WAN, LAN, cellular network, GSM network, Wifi, Bluetooth, I/Oconnection, etc.).

In certain embodiments, the authenticating partner system may beconfigured to perform processes that specify the information required toconduct or process the authentication transaction. For example, anauthenticating partner system may generate information that is providedto client device 112 to request that a user (e.g., user 110) submit hername, address, social security number, date of birth, and driver'slicense number in order to initiate processes consistent with renewingthe user's driver's license. The types of information required by theauthenticating partner system may depend in part on the system (e.g.,system requirements), a host associated with the system (e.g., internalrequirements established by a business entity), the nature of theunderlying authentication transaction (e.g., renewing a driver's licensemay require different information from opening a bank account), theclient device from which the system receives the request (e.g., devicesin high-risk areas), the user associated with the client device (e.g.,high-risk individuals), and other factors consistent with the disclosedembodiments. In some embodiments, the authenticating partner system maybe configured to decline, refuse, or prompt a user (e.g., via output toclient device 112) for additional information if a received request doesnot comply with system requirements. In the example above, for instance,the authenticating partner system may be configured to decline therequest or prompt a user for her address if the system does not receivethe address information from client device 112.

In one aspect, the authenticating partner system may require the user tosubmit information related to another authentication partner system(e.g., an expected validating partner system). In certain aspects, theinformation related to another partner system may include the identityof the other system, any user data stored within the other system (e.g.,account numbers, PINs, etc.), or any other information consistent withthe disclosed embodiments. For example, if an authenticating partnersystem (e.g., system 132) receives an authentication transaction requestconsist with opening a bank account, the system may require the user toinput the identity of another bank system at which the user holds anaccount, the account number, the routing number, etc. The authenticatingpartner system may require different kinds of information related toanother partner system based on any factor consistent with the disclosedembodiments (e.g., the identity of the partner, the authenticationtransaction, etc.). In other aspects, the authenticating partner systemmay not require the user to submit any information corresponding toanother authentication partner system. For example, an authenticatingpartner system may be configured to process authentication transactionswithout requiring information about another authentication partnersystem at the time the user submits an authentication transactionrequest.

In some embodiments, an authenticating partner system may be configuredto generate an authentication code in response to receiving anauthentication transaction request from client device 112 (step 604).The authentication code may take any form consistent with the disclosedembodiments (e.g., a visual, alphanumeric, symbolic expression, etc.),and may encode any information related to the authentication transactionrequest. The authenticating partner system may obtain the informationrelated to the authentication transaction request from the requestitself (e.g., as provided in the request from client device 112), fromits data repositories (e.g., data repository 136), from its ownprocessing, or from other computer systems consistent with the disclosedembodiments. For example, the authenticating partner system may receivea user's name and other user data from client device 112, and maygenerate the time of the request locally (e.g., on processors executinginstructions on system 132).

In one embodiment, the generated authentication code may also includeinformation defining or specifying one or more routing destinations foran authentication transaction. In some embodiments, the routingdestinations may represent the authenticating partner system, anotherauthentication partner system (e.g., a validating partner system storinginformation relevant to the authentication transaction), a client device112 associated with the authentication transaction, and/or any othercomputer system consistent with the disclosed embodiments. For example,an authentication code may include information specifying theauthenticating partner system (e.g., system 132) and validating partnersystem (e.g., system 142). In another example, the authentication codemay only specify the authenticating partner system. The authenticationcode may include other information consistent with the disclosedembodiments.

In certain aspects, an authenticating partner system may be configuredto provide a generated authentication code to client device 112 (step606). The authenticating partner system may transmit the authenticationcode to client device 112 over any communications network consistentwith the disclosed embodiments. In certain aspects, client device 112may be configured to receive the authentication code provided by theauthenticating partner system, store the code in memory, and use theauthentication code to conduct processes disclosed herein. In otheraspects, the authenticating partner system may provide an authenticationcode to a user in other media. For example, an authenticating partnersystem may provide an authentication code to a user on a physicaldocument (e.g., mailed documents with an authentication code printed onthe document), on physical media encoding the authentication code (e.g.,a readable card, memory device, etc., sent to the user), or the like.

In some aspects, an authenticating partner system may be configured toreceive a notification from a computing system of environment 100reflecting that an authentication code generated by the authenticatingpartner system has been scanned and/or processed. In certainembodiments, the authenticating partner system may be configured toperform processes based on the receipt of the processed authenticationcode, authentication data, or other information. For example, anauthenticating partner system may be configured to receive anotification from an authentication terminal 152 (e.g., overauthentication network 120 or another network) reflecting that theterminal has processed and/or provided the code to the authenticationnetwork. In certain aspects, the authenticating partner system may beconfigured to provide information to another computing system based onthe notification. For example, the authenticating partner system maysend a confirmation to the authentication terminal 152 reflectingreceipt of the notification, an authorization message to the validatingpartner system reflecting authorization to initiate validation processes(e.g., identified in information provided to the authenticatingpartner), or other information consistent with the disclosedembodiments.

In some embodiments, an authenticating partner system may be configuredto receive an authentication code (e.g., the authentication code itgenerated), authentication data comprising the code, and/or validationinformation corresponding to the authentication code over network 120(step 608). In certain aspects, the received validation information mayoriginate from a validating partner system that validated theauthentication transaction represented in the authentication code. Theauthentication data and validation information may take any formconsistent with the disclosed embodiments. For example, the validationinformation may include a determination whether the authenticationtransaction has been validated and other information related to thevalidation or authentication determination.

In certain aspects, an authenticating partner system may be configuredto conduct further processing upon receiving validation informationand/or an authentication code from authentication network 120. In someaspects, the authenticating partner system may be configured to processthe authentication transaction associated with the validationinformation, authentication data, and/or generated authentication code(step 610). In some embodiments, processing an authenticationtransaction may include determining whether to authenticate (e.g.,approve) user 110 for the underlying authentication transaction. Forexample, an authenticating partner system may determine to approve auser for opening a bank account maintained on the system, and conductprocesses required to establish the account (e.g., open the account,deposit a sum of money into the account, notify other computer systemsof the new account, etc.). In certain aspects, the authenticatingpartner system may execute software instructions that perform approvalprocesses that consider one or more factors to determine whether toapprove and conduct an authentication transaction consistent with thedisclosed embodiments (e.g., the authentication transaction, theauthenticating partner system, etc.). For example, in an authenticationtransaction consistent with renewing a driver's license, theauthenticating partner system (e.g., a DMV) may be configured to updateits databases, print a new driver's license, transmit information toother computer systems, and the like.

In certain embodiments, the determination whether to approve theauthentication transaction may be based in part on the validationinformation received from network 120. In one embodiment, anauthenticating partner system may be configured to approve anauthentication transaction when the received validation informationindicates that the transaction has been validated (e.g., by a validatingpartner system). For example, an authenticating partner system (e.g.,system 132) may be configured to approve a user's application for creditwhen a validating partner system (e.g., system 142) validates thetransaction.

In some aspects, an authenticating partner system may also approve anauthentication transaction when information included in the validationinformation or authentication data (e.g., a user's PIN, account numbers,other user data, etc.) is consistent with user data stored within theauthenticating system (e.g., in data repository 136). For example, anauthenticating partner system may be configured to compare informationincluded in the validation information with user data stored in its datarepositories (e.g., name, address, Social Security Number, accountnumbers, etc.), determine whether the data sets are consistent, andapprove the authentication transaction based on the determination. Inanother example, the authentication partner system may be configured tocompare the received authentication data (or authentication data)against information stored in the system (e.g., user data,authentication code data) to determine whether, for example, the datamatch, the data are consistent, and the like.

In some embodiments, an authenticating partner system may be configuredto determine whether to approve an authentication transaction based onother factors. In one aspect, an authenticating partner system may beconfigured to receive, obtain, store, and/or generate one or moreauthentication conditions governing whether an authenticationtransaction should be approved. In certain aspects, an authenticationpartner system may be configured to approve an authenticationtransaction only when the one or more authentication conditions aresatisfied. In certain aspects, the authentication conditions may includeany validation condition consistent with the disclosed embodiments. Forexample, the authentication conditions may include a time condition,location condition, entity condition, entity type condition, validatorcondition, frequency condition, necessary data condition, etc.specifying times, places, and frequencies in which transaction eventsconsistent with the disclosed embodiments must occur. The authenticatingpartner system may be configured to compare the validation information,authentication data, and/or authentication code against theauthentication parameters to determine whether to approve theauthentication transaction.

In some embodiments, an authentication partner system may store the oneor more authentication conditions as user data within a data repository(e.g., repository 136). In certain aspects, an authentication partnersystem may receive one or more authentication conditions from clientdevice 112 (e.g., via a communications network). In certain embodiments,the authentication partner system may generate one or more of theauthentication conditions. In one aspect, the authenticating partnersystem may be configured to allow a user to add, delete, edit, or modifythe authentication conditions (e.g., via an interface provided to clientdevice 112).

In certain aspects, an authenticating partner system may include bothvalidation conditions and authentication conditions. In someembodiments, the two sets of conditions may operate independently fromone another. For example, in one embodiment, an authentication partnersystem include validations conditions authorizing the system to validatean authentication transaction within a first time frame, but may includeauthentication conditions permitting the system to authenticate (e.g.,approve) another authentication transaction within a second time frame.In another example, an authenticating partner system may includeauthentication conditions specifying that the system may authenticate(e.g., approve) any authentication transaction, but may validateauthentication transactions associated with a designated geographicalarea. Other combinations and permutations are possible.

In some embodiments, an authenticating partner system may be configuredto generate an authentication confirmation reflecting whether theauthentication transaction has been validated and/or approved. Incertain aspects, the authenticating partner system may be configured toprovide the authentication confirmation (step 612). For example, theauthentication partner system may be configured to provide theauthentication confirmation to authentication network 120 (e.g., whereit may be routed to an appropriate system), or directly to anothercomputing system (e.g., to client device 112 via a communicationsnetwork, such as the Internet). The authentication confirmation may beformatted in various forms consistent with the disclosed embodiments(e.g., an e-mail, SMS text, voice mail, audial tone, vibration, etc.).

Aspects of the disclosed embodiments include systems, methods, andapparatuses for providing a trusted authentication network forvalidating and authentication users. FIG. 7 depicts a flowchart of anexemplary authentication network data transmission process 700consistent with disclosed embodiments. In certain aspects, theauthentication network 120 may include any communications networkconsistent with the disclosed embodiments, and may be secured viamethods known to one of ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments,the authentication network 120 may serve as a communications networkbetween a plurality of computing systems consistent with the disclosedembodiments (e.g., the computing systems described in connection withFIG. 1). For example, in one aspect, authentication network 120 may beconfigured to connect one or more client devices 112, one or moreauthentication terminals 152, and/or one or more authentication partnersystems (e.g., system 132 and 142).

In certain embodiments, authentication network 120 may be configured toreceive authentication data from a connected computing system (e.g., anauthentication terminal 152, client device 112, etc.) (step 702). Theauthentication data may comprise any data consistent with the disclosedembodiments, such as an authentication code and accompanyinginformation. In some embodiments, authentication network 120 maydetermine that the authentication data corresponds to an authenticationtransaction (e.g., as opposed to a payment transaction) based onprocessing the authentication data (e.g., the data includes informationinconsistent with a payment transaction), or other input received. Forexample, in one embodiment, an operator of an authentication terminal152 may provide input to the terminal reflecting that the authenticationdata transmitted to network 120 relates to an authentication transactionas opposed to another type of transaction. In other instances, and basedon the input provided by the operator, authentication terminal 152 mayassign a predetermined value indicative of an authentication transaction(and/or to a payment transaction) to an identifier or code (e.g., aportion of the authentication code), and authentication terminal mayinclude the identifier or code within a portion of the authenticationdata transmitted to network 120 (e.g., within a header of packetizeddata transmitted to network 120).

In some aspects, authentication network may be configured to performprocessing on the authentication data to determine one or more properdestination system(s) to which to route the authentication data. In someaspects, the proper destination systems may include one or moreauthentication partner systems, authentication terminals 152, or anyother computing device connected to network 120. For example, in oneembodiment, proper destination systems may include an authenticatingpartner system, a validating partner system, and an authenticationterminal in communication with the network. In other aspects, a properdestination system may include only a validating partner system.

In certain aspects, the proper destination system(s) may include systemsstoring information relevant to the validation and/or authentication ofthe authentication transaction. For example, in an authenticationtransaction reflecting a user's request to open a new account at a firstbank, authentication network 120 may be configured to routeauthentication data associated with the transaction to a second bankproviding financial account services for the user. In another example,in an authentication transaction reflecting a user's request to renewher driver's license, authentication network 120 may be configured toroute authentication data associated with the request to systemsassociated with a DMV, a court, insurers, and/or any entity storinginformation relevant to a user's identity, driving record, etc.

In some embodiments, authentication network 120 may be configured todetermine the proper destination system(s) based on processing theauthentication data. In some aspects, the processed authentication datamay include an authentication code in which one or more destinationsystems may be encoded (e.g., by an authenticating partner system). Inother embodiments, one or more of the destination system(s) may beincluded in the information accompanying the authentication code in theauthentication data provided to the network. In one exemplaryembodiment, a user may swipe a transaction card at an authenticationterminal 152 connected to the authentication network 120. In certainaspects, the authentication terminal 152 may collect information fromthe transaction card or account (e.g., the issuing bank, the routingnumber, account number, expiration date, security codes, etc.), and theinformation provided therein may reflect the destination system(s)required for authentication network 120. In another example, the one ormore destination system(s) may be provided in the authentication datareceived from an authenticating partner system (e.g., providing theauthentication code to the user), an authentication terminal 152 (e.g.,from local processes conducted at the terminal), a client device 112,and the like.

In certain embodiments, authentication network 120 may be configured todetermine the one or more destination system(s) based on otherinformation and processes available to the network. In some embodiments,network 120 may be configured to interpret the information included inthe authentication data (e.g., the authentication code and otherinformation), and determine the system connected to the network bestsuited to validate the authentication transaction identified in theauthentication data. By way of example, the authentication data mayinclude an identifier or other code having a predetermined value (e.g.,assigned by authentication terminal 152) indicative of an associationbetween the authentication data and a corresponding authenticationtransaction (or a corresponding payment transaction). Based on thepredetermined value, authentication network 120 may associate theauthentication data with the corresponding authentication (or payment)transaction, and may route the authentication data to a destinationsystem capable of perform the corresponding authentication (or payment)transaction.

In additional aspects, authentication network 120 may be configured todetermine that received authentication data corresponds to a particularauthentication transaction associated with a certain system (e.g., aparticular entity) or class of systems (e.g., financial institutions,government agencies, etc.), and route the authentication dataaccordingly. Further, in other aspects, the network 120 may beconfigured to determine the identity of the user associated with thetransaction (e.g., by processing the authentication data), and route theauthentication data to a destination system (e.g., a validating partnersystem) known to include validation data corresponding to a priorauthentication of the user.

In some aspects, information associated with known authentications andvalidations (e.g., both approved and rejected) may be stored inauthentication databases included in a computing system connected tonetwork 120 (e.g., an authentication partner system, a standalonedatabase, etc.). In some embodiments, authentication databases mayreflect data repositories in which information related to anyauthentication or validation process may be stored (e.g., user data,authentication data, validation data, authentication confirmations,system identities, etc.). In certain embodiments, computing systemsconnected to the authentication network 120 (e.g., an authenticationpartner system) may be configured to update the authentication databasesas authentication transactions are processed over the network.Information associated with known authentications may be stored inseveral databases stored among any number of authentication partnersystems. In other aspects, all of the authentication databases may bestored in a single authentication partner system configured to validateevery authentication transaction processed over network 120.

In some embodiments, an authentication database or other computingsystem (e.g., an authentication partner system) may be configured todistinguish authentication transactions that have been independentlyverified and those that have not. For example, an authentication partnersystem associated with network 120 may be configured to determine theauthentication transactions authenticated or validated solely overnetwork 120, and those authenticated in other processes (e.g., at abrick and mortar locations requiring physical inspection of the relevantauthenticating documents). In certain aspects, authentication network120 may be configured to determine the proper destination systems basedin part on whether an authentication or validation has beenindependently verified. For example, in one embodiment, authenticationnetwork 120 may be configured to route authentication data to a firstsystem having independently verified an authentication transaction overa second system that authenticated a transaction based solely over thenetwork (e.g., based on the first system's authentication).

In certain embodiments, the authentication network 120 may be configuredto determine a set of all the potential validating partner systems for agiven authentication transaction. In some aspects, the network 120 maybe configured to rank, sort, score, rate and/or otherwise distinguishthe potential validating partner systems included in the determined set.In certain aspects, authentication network 120 may be configured toperform processes that base its ranking, scoring, etc. on one or morefactors consistent with the disclosed embodiments. For example,authentication network 120 may rank, sort, etc. potential validatingsystems based on factors such as a quantity and/or quality of validationdata stored in the system (e.g., for the particular user, for thetransaction, for a class of transactions, for all users generally,etc.), the number or rate of positive validations leading to an approvedauthentication (e.g., to assess the reliability of the system), whetherthe validations or validation data have been independently verified, theidentity of the authentication partner associated with the system (e.g.,a financial institution may be more highly ranked than an individualperson, etc.), and the like. In some embodiments, authentication network120 may be configured to route authentication data only to a subset ofthe potential validating partners (e.g., the highest rated validatingpartner system, the first two partner validating partner systems thathave independently verified data, etc.). In other aspects,authentication network 120 may route the authentication to all of thepotential validating partner systems.

In some aspects, the authentication network 120 may be configured toroute the authentication data to one or more of the identified properdestination systems (step 704). The destination systems may beconfigured to execute software instructions that perform one or moreprocesses consistent with the disclosed embodiments. For example, one ormore destination systems may perform validation processes configured tovalidate an authentication transaction represented in the authenticationdata (e.g., validating partner systems implementing process 500). Incertain aspects, the authentication network 120 may be configured toreceive validation information generated by one or more of thevalidating partner systems (step 706). The validation informationreceived may include any data consistent with the disclosed embodiments(e.g., a determination whether to validate the authenticationtransaction, other associated data, etc.).

In some aspects, an authentication partner system and/or anauthentication terminal 152 in communication with authentication network120 may be configured to generate validation information by obtainingvalidation data (not validation information) from other network systems.In some embodiments, for example, the authentication partner system mayuse the routing information to determine one or more system(s) mostlikely to include validation data, and obtain the information from thosesystems over network 120. In one example, an authentication partnersystem may determine that a particular DMV has validation data mostrelevant to an authentication transaction it is processing. In certainaspects, the authentication partner system may be configured to obtain,collect, gather, and store the information from systems associated withthe DMV without routing any information (e.g., authentication data) tothe DMV. In certain embodiments, any authentication partner system mayimplement these aspects to gather validation data (e.g., user data,etc.) from any other network system. In some embodiments, authenticationterminal 152 may be configured to obtain, receive, generate, and/orprocess validation data and/or validation information in the samemanner. A validating partner system (e.g., system 132, system 142,terminal 152, etc.) may obtain some or all of its validation data inthis manner. In some aspects, authentication partner systems may limitthis data gathering process by, for example, establishing standards,conditions, limits, prohibitions, or other rules governing theexchanging of information between systems.

In certain aspects, authentication network 120 may be configured toroute the validation information (generated or received) and/or otherdata received (e.g., authentication data, an authentication code, etc.)to one or more destination systems (step 708). In some embodiments, thedestination systems may include other validating partner system(s)(e.g., to verify the validation information, etc.), an authenticatingpartner system (e.g., to authenticate a transaction), or any othercomputing system in communication with network 120 (e.g., a clientdevice 112 or authentication terminal 152).

In some embodiments, authentication network 120 may be configured todetermine the one or more destination system(s) consistent with thedisclosed embodiments (e.g., in a similar manner as the networkdetermined the destination(s) of the authentication data in step 704).In one embodiment, authentication network 120 may be configured todetermine the destination systems based on processes conducted on thevalidation information. For example, the validation information mayinclude routing data (e.g., generated by the validating partner system).In another example, validation information may include information fromwhich the routing information may be derived. In some aspects, network120 may also be configured to determine the destination systems based onother information available in the authentication network (e.g., knownauthentication information, authentication databases connected to thenetwork, independent verification data, etc.).

In one aspect, the destination system of the validation informationand/or other information (e.g., authentication data) may be configuredto perform additional processing on the data received from network 120.In some embodiments, the destination system includes an authenticatingpartner system configured to process authentication transactions. Incertain embodiments, the authenticating partner system may be configuredto authenticate (e.g., approve) authentication transactions based inpart on the information received from network 120 (e.g., in anauthentication process 610). In some aspects, the authenticating partnersystem may be configured to generate authentication confirmationsrepresenting whether the authentication transaction has been validatedor authenticated (e.g., in process 612). In some embodiments, theauthentication network 120 may be configured to receive anauthentication confirmation generated in an authentication partnersystem (step 710). The authentication confirmation may take any formconsistent with the disclosed embodiments.

In some aspects, the authentication network 120 may be configured toprovide a received authentication confirmation to one or moredestination systems in communication with the network (step 712). Forexample, network 120 may be configured to provide an authenticationconfirmation to an authentication terminal 152, an authenticationpartner system (e.g., system 132), or the like. The network 120 may beconfigured to determine the identity of the destination systems usingany process consistent with the disclosed embodiments (e.g., processingthe authentication confirmation, processing other data such as theauthentication data or validation information, authentication databases,etc.).

The above exemplary processes and systems are not limiting to thedisclosed embodiments. For example, FIG. 8 shows a diagram of anexemplary authentication transaction approval process 800 consistentwith the disclosed embodiments. The embodiments disclosed in connectionwith FIG. 8 may represent one exemplary aspect of how the disclosedembodiments may authenticate an authentication transaction, and therecitation of certain processes or systems is for exemplary purposesonly. In certain aspects, user 100 may initiate processes consistentwith approving an authentication transaction by providing anauthentication transaction request from client device 112 to anauthenticating partner system (e.g., system 132) (step 802). Theauthentication transaction request may take any form consistent with thedisclosed embodiments, and may be provided over any communicationsnetwork (e.g., WAN, LAN, wireless, network 120, etc.) consistent withthose disclosed herein.

In some embodiments, the authenticating partner system (e.g., anauthentication partner system 132) may be configured to receive thetransaction request over the communications network (step 804). Thesystem may be configured to generate an authentication code identifyingthe authentication transaction, and, in some embodiments, encodingadditional information (step 806). The authentication code may take anyform consistent with the disclosed embodiments (e.g., an alphanumeric,visual, symbolic, pictorial expression, etc.). The authenticating systemmay be configured to provide the generated authentication code over thecommunications network to client device 112 for further processing (step808).

In certain embodiments, client device 112 may be configured to receivethe authentication code (step 810). Client device 112 may conductfurther processing on the code, and provide authentication data to anauthentication terminal 152 (step 812). In some embodiments, theauthentication data may comprise the authentication code and otherinformation generated or received by client device 112 (e.g.,information received from the authenticating partner system, user datasuch as client device information, a user's personal information, etc.).In some aspects, client device 112 may provide the authentication datato authentication terminal 152 over any communications networkconsistent with the disclosed embodiments. In other aspects, clientdevice 112 may provide the authentication to network 120 directly,without an intermediate authentication terminal 152.

In some embodiments, an authentication terminal 152 may be configured toreceive the authentication data over the communications network (step814). In certain aspects, the authentication terminal may conductfurther processing on the authentication data, and may generate and/orreceive additional authentication data (step 816). For example, theauthentication terminal 152 may be configured to generate authenticationdata reflecting the time, place, and manner in which it received theauthentication data from client device 112 (e.g., the time of the dataexchange, the place of the data exchange, an entity associated with theauthentication terminal, an entity type associated with the entity,terminal information, etc.). In some aspects, the authenticationterminal 152 may provide the authentication data (both received andgenerated) to an authentication network 120 (step 818).

In certain aspects, authentication network 120 may be configured toprovide the authentication data to an appropriate computing system. Theauthentication network 120 may determine the appropriate computingsystem using any method consistent with the disclosed embodiments (e.g.,encoding within the authentication data, etc.). In some embodiments, theappropriate computing system may include a validating partner system(e.g., system 142) storing information corresponding to a priorauthentication event associated with user 110.

In some aspects, the validating partner system may be configured toreceive the authentication data over network 120 (step 820). In certainembodiments, the validating partner system may be configured to validateauthentication transactions consistent with the disclosed embodiments(step 822). In certain aspects, the validating partner system may beconfigured to generate validation information reflecting in part adetermination whether to validate the user for the authenticationtransaction. The validation information may include any otherinformation consistent with the disclosed embodiments. In certainembodiments, the validating partner system may transmit the generatedvalidation information to the authentication network 120.

The authentication network 120 may be configured to route the validationinformation to another appropriate computing system. In certain aspects,the appropriate party may include another validating partner system(e.g., to validate a prior validation). In other aspects, theappropriate party may include the authenticating partner system.Authentication network 120 may be configured to determine the identityof the appropriate destination system using any process consistent withthe disclosed embodiments.

In certain aspects, the appropriate system may include an authenticatingpartner system configured to receive the validation information and/orauthentication code from authentication network 120 (step 826). In someembodiments, the authenticating partner system may be configured toprocess the authentication transaction based in part on the receivedvalidation information and authentication code (step 828). In someaspects, this processing may reflect a determination whether to approveuser 110 for the underlying authentication transaction. Thedetermination may be based on any process consistent with the disclosedembodiments (e.g., based on whether the validating partner systemvalidated the transaction, whether the validation data and/orauthentication data is consistent with user data stored on theauthenticating partner system, whether all validation and authenticationconditions have been satisfied, etc.). In certain aspects, theauthenticating partner system may be configured to generate anauthentication confirmation reflecting whether the authenticationtransaction has been approved. In some embodiments, the system mayprovide the confirmation to client device 112 (e.g., over acommunications network), to authentication terminal 152 (e.g., over theauthentication network 120), or another computing system.

In certain embodiments, client device 112 may be configured to receivean authentication confirmation either directly from the authenticatingpartner system (step 832), or from an authentication terminal configuredto receive and provide the confirmation (steps 834 and 836). Theauthentication terminal may provide the confirmation to client device112 over any communications network.

FIG. 9 depicts an exemplary payment network environment 900 consistentwith disclosed embodiments. In one aspect, environment 900 may includeone or more client devices (e.g., client device 112) which may beassociated with respective one or more users (e.g., user 110), one ormore authentication partner systems (e.g., systems 132 and 142) whichmay be associated with respective one or more authentication partners(e.g., authentication partners 130 and 140), one or more authenticationterminals (e.g., authentication terminal 152) which may be associatedwith one or more hosts (e.g., host 150), and one or more paymentnetworks (e.g., network 920) connecting one or more of the components ofenvironment 900. The components of environment 900 may include orimplement any of the systems, technologies, processes, information, andfunctionalities consistent with the disclosed embodiments (e.g.,consistent with the embodiments disclosed in connection with FIGS. 1-8).

Payment network 920 may include any payment technology networkconsistent with the disclosed embodiments, such as payment technologiesassociated with financial account payment service providers (e.g.,VISA™, Mastercard™, etc.). The payment network 920 may include orimplement any of the computing systems, processes, and functionalitiesassociated with an authentication network 120 (e.g., servers, computingsystems configured to process information, etc.), and vice versa. Thepayment network may be configured to process information consistent withknown processes, and route the information to destination systems forfurther processing accordingly.

Environment 900 may also include one or more connections (e.g.,connection 902) configured to obtain and transmit information from itemsassociated with a user (e.g., client device 112, transactions cards,paper documents, licenses, readable chips, etc.) to the authenticationterminal 152. In certain aspects, connection 902 may include anynetwork, link, port, cable, detector, receiver, reader, scanner, or dataexchange device consistent with the disclosed embodiments. In someaspects, connection 902 may include a communications network such as aWAN, LAN, MAN, wireless LAN, RF network, cellular network, NFC link,wired connection, etc. In certain embodiments, connection 902 may alsorepresent auxiliary devices configured to obtaining and processing datafrom (e.g., card readers, scanners, imagers, etc.). For example, in oneaspect, connection 902 may include a card reader configured to read andprocess information contained in a user's transaction cards (e.g., debitcards, credit cards, library cards, licenses, student IDs, etc.), andprovide information to authentication terminal 152. In other aspects,connection 902 may include any other scanner or imager configured togather information from papers, people, or objects (e.g., code scanners,image scanners, biometric scanners, etc.). In some embodiments,connection 902 may represent a plurality of connections (e.g., a cardreader and code scanner, etc.).

In certain embodiments, connection 902 may be configured to obtaininformation from items associated with user 110 to gather and generateauthentication data. For example, authentication terminal 152 mayimplement a card reader (e.g., as connection 902) to obtain informationfrom a user's transaction card such as the card number, card name,issuing bank, account number, routing number, expiration data, securitycodes, or any other information stored on a user's transaction card. Incertain aspects, authentication terminal 152 may be configured transmita user's card information to the payment network 920 (e.g., withinauthentication data reflecting an authentication transaction) for use inprocesses consistent with the disclosed embodiments. For example,authentication terminal 152 may be configured to receive authenticationdata including an authentication code created by an authenticatingpartner system (e.g., system 132), generate additional authenticationdata (e.g., card information obtained via a card reader, a PIN inputinto the terminal via a keyboard, etc.), and transmit the combinedauthentication data to payment network 920.

In one aspect, payment network 920 may be configured to identify thatreceived authentication data corresponds to an authenticationtransaction (e.g., as opposed to a payment transaction) using anyprocess consistent with the disclosed embodiments (e.g., based on anature of the authentication data, input from an operator atauthentication terminal 152, and/or values of identifiers and/or othercodes included within the authentication data, as disclosed inconnection with FIGS. 10 and 11). In some aspects, payment network 920may route the authentication data to a validating partner system (e.g.,system 142) associated with an institution issuing the transaction cardusing known payment routing processes. In certain aspects, the issuingbank's computing systems may represent a validating partner systemconfigured to receive and validate authentication transactions. In someembodiments, the bank's validating partner systems may be configuredvalidate authentication transactions reflected in the authenticationdata incorporating the user's card information. In some aspects, thevalidating partner system associated with the issuing bank may validatean authentication transaction (in whole or part) using may processconsistent with the disclosed embodiments. The validating partner systemmay create validation information consistent with the validation, andtransmit the validation information to payment network 920. In someembodiments, the validating partner system may generate the validationinformation such that a payment network (e.g., network 920) mayrecognize and interpret the included information.

In certain aspects, payment network 920 may be configured receive thevalidation information and recognize that the validation informationcorresponds to an authentication transaction (e.g., in a mannerconsistent with the foregoing embodiments). In some embodiments, thepayment network 920 may route the validation information to anothercomputing system in a manner consistent with the disclosed embodiments(e.g., to another validating partner system, to an authenticatingpartner system etc.). For example, payment network 920 may route thevalidation information to the authenticating partner system thatgenerated the authentication code (e.g., system 132). In certainaspects, the authenticating partner system may be configured to processthe validation information consistent with the disclosed embodiments toauthenticate the authentication transaction.

In some embodiments, the authenticating partner system may generate anauthentication confirmation consistent with the disclosed embodiments,and provide the confirmation to payment network 920. In certain aspects,payment network 920 may be configured to recognize the authenticationconfirmation, and route the confirmation to any computing device inconnection with the network. For example, in one aspect, payment networkmay route the authentication confirmation to authentication terminal152. In certain embodiments, authentication terminal 152 may beconfigured to provide a confirmation to the user (e.g., via connector902 such as a communications network), or otherwise indication that theauthentication confirmation has been approved or denied (e.g., via adisplay on authentication terminal 152). In some embodiments, paymentnetwork 920 may be configured to route the authentication confirmationother computing systems, such as an authentication partner systemincluding an authentication database, for further processing.

FIG. 10 depicts an exemplary network routing environment 1000 consistentwith the disclosed embodiments. In one aspect, environment 1000 mayinclude one or more client devices (e.g., client device 112) which maybe associated with respective one or more users (e.g., user 110), one ormore authentication partner systems (e.g., systems 132 and 142) whichmay be associated with respective one or more authentication partners(e.g., partner 140), one or more authentication terminals (e.g.,authentication terminal 152) which may be associated with one or morehosts (e.g., host 150), one or more connections (e.g., connection 902)facilitating information transfer between the client devices andauthentication terminals, and one or more payment networks (e.g.,payment network 920) connecting one or more of the components ofenvironment 1000. The components of environment 1000 may include orimplement any of the systems, technologies, processes, information, andfunctionalities consistent with the disclosed embodiments (e.g.,consistent with the embodiments disclosed in connection with FIGS. 1-9).Moreover, while certain features of FIG. 10 may be described withreference to payment network 920, aspects consistent with the disclosedembodiments may include the same features taking place over anauthentication network (e.g., authentication network 120).

In some aspects, environment 1000 may include one or more paymentprocessing systems 1012. In certain embodiments, a payment processingsystem 1012 may include one or more computing systems configured toreceive and process payment transactions consistent with the disclosedembodiments (e.g., debit card transactions, credit card transactions,etc.). For example, in one aspect, a payment processing system 1012 mayinclude computing systems associated with a financial institution forprocessing credit or debit card transactions.

In some embodiments, a payment processing system 1012 may be associatedwith a payment entity 1010. A payment entity 1010 may include anybusiness, enterprise, financial institution, educational institution,government agency, or any other entity providing payment processes forusers (e.g., debit card transactions, credit card transactions, loyaltyaccount transactions, gift card transactions, student accounttransactions, etc.). In some embodiments, payment entity 1010 maycomprise an authentication partner (e.g., partner 130) associated withan authentication partner system (e.g., system 132). For example, in oneembodiment, payment entity 1010 may reflect an authentication partnersystem associated with systems configured to process both authenticationtransactions (e.g., an authentication partner system) and paymenttransactions (e.g., account card purchases). In other embodiments, apayment entity 1010 may not comprise an authentication partner, and/ormay not include an authentication partner system. For example, in oneembodiment, a payment entity 1010 may not be configured to processauthentication transactions, and thus may not include an authenticationpartner system.

In some embodiments, the components of environment 1000 may beconfigured to determine whether a particular transaction reflects anauthentication transaction (or processes associated therewith) or apayment transaction (or processes associated therewith), and process thetransaction accordingly (e.g., route the transaction to an appropriatecomputing system). In certain aspects, for instance, authenticationterminal 152 may be configured to receive information associated with atransaction and determine whether the transaction reflects anauthentication transaction or a payment transaction. In one example,authentication terminal 152 may be configured to determine whether atransaction constitutes an authentication transaction or paymenttransaction based on received authentication data (e.g., informationencoded in an authentication code, generated authentication data, etc.).

In another example, authentication terminal 152 may determine thetransaction type based on transaction information provided to theterminal via an input device such as a keyboard, display, terminalbuttons, auxiliary devices (e.g., a separate apparatus provided by athird party), and the like. For example, in one aspect, authenticationterminal 152 may be configured to provide a user interface onto adisplay, wherein the user interface is configured to receive inputspecifying whether a transaction reflects an authentication or paymenttransaction (e.g., via text fields, radio buttons, checkboxes, GUIbuttons, etc. provided on the display). In this example, authenticationterminal 152 may be configured to associate a subsequent action (e.g.,providing authentication data, swiping an account card, providingadditional inputs or information to the terminal, etc.) with anauthentication transaction or a payment transaction based on thereceived input, and process the transaction consistent with thedisclosed embodiments.

In some aspects, authentication terminal 152 may be configured to modifythe information it provides to payment network 920 (or, in certainembodiments, authentication network 120), based on a determinedtransaction type. In some embodiments, for instance, authenticationterminal 152 may be configured to alter, modify, change, select, and/ordemarcate information provided to payment network 920 to indicate that aparticular transaction reflects either an authentication transaction ora payment transaction. For example, in some aspects, authenticationterminal 152 may be configured to modify packet structures typicallyassociated with a payment transaction (e.g., by appending, prepending,and/or inserting packet headers, footers, or other data, modifyingexisting data in the packet structure, etc.) to indicate that atransaction reflects an authentication transaction. In certainembodiments, authentication terminal 152 may modify or configure theauthentication data provided to the payment network 920 to indicate thenature of the transaction. In these examples, the authentication orpayment network processing the transaction may be configured to routeand/or process the provided information consistent with the disclosedembodiments.

In certain aspects, an authentication network or payment network (e.g.,payment network 920) may be configured to determine whether atransaction reflects an authentication or payment transaction. In someaspects, the network processing the transaction (e.g., payment network920) may be configured to make this determination in addition to, or inlieu of, other determinations made with components of environment 1000(e.g., an authentication terminal 152). In some embodiments, the paymentnetwork may base its determination on the authentication data receivedfrom an authentication terminal 152. For example, in one aspect, paymentnetwork 920 may receive authentication data from a transaction terminal152 without the terminal specifying whether a particular transactionreflects an authentication or payment transaction. In this example,payment network 920 may be configured to receive the authentication dataand determine the transaction type based on data encoded in theauthentication data (e.g., data encoded in an authentication code,packetized information provided from an authentication terminal, etc,).In one embodiment, for instance, an authentication code may includeencoding such that a payment network 920 recognizes the encoding ascorresponding to an authentication transaction and not a paymenttransaction. In some aspects, the processing network may determinewhether a transaction reflects a particular transaction type based offpacket information associated with the transaction (e.g., headerinformation, footer information, data encoded in the packet, etc.). Forexample, and as described above, a value of an identifier or other code(e.g., as assigned by authentication terminal 152) included within theheader information, footer information, and/or data encoded in thepacket may indicate a particular transaction type (e.g., anauthentication or payment transaction) associated with theauthentication data.

In some embodiments, computing systems associated with payment network920 may be configured to route the transaction (and/or informationassociated with the transaction such as authentication data, packetizedinformation, etc.) to an appropriate party system based on a determinedtransaction type (e.g., as determined by an authentication terminal 152,payment network 920, another component of environment 1000, etc.). Forexample, as depicted in FIG. 10, payment network 920 may be configuredto route a transaction associated with a payment transaction to apayment processing system 1012 associated with a payment entity 1010. Incertain aspects, the payment processing system 1012 may process thepayment transaction consistent with the disclosed embodiments.Similarly, in some aspects, payment network 920 may be configured routean authentication transaction to an appropriate authentication partnersystem for processing consistent with the disclosed embodiments (e.g.,validation processes, authentication processes, etc.). For example, asshown in FIG. 10, payment network 920 may be configured to route anauthentication transaction to an authentication partner system (e.g.,system 132) for validation purposes, and in turn route the subsequentvalidation information to another authentication partner system (e.g.,system 142) associated with an authentication partner. In someembodiments, systems associated with payment network 920 (or anauthentication network 120) may be configured to modify informationassociated with a transaction (e.g., authentication data, packetizedstructures, etc.) consistent with the disclosed embodiments (e.g.,appending, prepending, inserting, or modifying information in a packetstructure, providing its own authentication or validation data, etc.).

In some aspects, an authentication partner system (e.g., system 132 or142) may be configured to interpret, process, and modify informationassociated with authentication and payment transactions to performprocesses consistent with the disclosed embodiments. In certainembodiments, for example, an authentication partner system may beconfigured to determine whether information it receives (e.g.,authentication data) reflects an authentication transaction or paymenttransaction. In some embodiments, the authentication partner system maybe configured to make this determination based on the nature of theinformation it receives (e.g., the authentication data, packetizedinformation, etc.) in a manner consistent with the disclosedembodiments. For example, in one embodiment, an authentication partnersystem may determine the nature of a transaction based on headers,footers, or other data associated with packetized data, data encoded inan authentication code, values of transaction-type-specific identifiers,codes, and other data included within portions of the packetized data,other authentication data, and the like.

In certain aspects, an authentication partner system may be configuredto modify, add, delete, or change information for processes consistentwith the disclosed embodiments. For example, in one embodiment, anauthentication partner system that validates an authenticationtransaction (e.g., a validating partner system) may be configured togenerate data (e.g., validation information) incorporating the nature ofthe transaction it processed. In certain embodiments, the generatedinformation may specify the nature of the transaction and otherinformation such as, for example, the identity of the system to whichpayment network 920 should route the information. For example, in oneaspect, an authentication partner system may be configured to specify anauthenticating partner system associated with the authenticationtransaction so that payment network 920 will route validationinformation to the appropriate system. In another example, anauthentication partner system may specify another validating partnersystem so that, for example, several systems validate a particulartransaction. In some embodiments, authentication partner systems maymodify or add information specifying the type of transaction and otherinformation (e.g., the system to which a network should route theinformation) in any manner consistent with the disclosed embodiments.

In certain embodiments, an authentication partner system (e.g., system132) may be configured to reject, return, or modify a transaction (orinformation associated therewith) if it determines that the transactionrepresents a payment transaction. For example, if an authenticationpartner system determines that a transaction reflects a paymenttransaction, the system may provide the information back to theprocessing network (e.g., payment network 920), reject the transaction,or modify the transaction information to specify the appropriate systemfor processing the transaction (e.g., the appropriate payment processingsystem). Similarly, in some embodiments, payment processing system 1012may be configured to reject, return, or modify a transaction if itdetermines that the transaction reflects an authentication transaction.In some aspects, a determining system (e.g., payment processing system1012, an authentication partner system, etc.) may not reject, return, ormodify a transaction if it determines that the transaction represents aparticular transaction. For example, in one embodiment, anauthentication partner system and payment processing system may subsistin the same system or be associated with the same entity (e.g., paymententity 1010), in which case it may be configured to not reject, return,or modify the transaction based on a determined transaction type.

FIG. 11 depicts an exemplary multi-network environment 1100 consistentwith the disclosed embodiments. In one aspect, environment 1100 mayinclude one or more client devices (e.g., client device 112), which maybe associated with respective one or more users (e.g., user 110).Environment 1100 may also include one or more authentication partnersystems (e.g., systems 132 and 142), which may be associated withrespective one or more authentication partners (e.g., partners 130 and140). Further, environment 1100 may also include one or moreauthentication terminals (e.g., authentication terminal 152) associatedwith corresponding hosts (e.g., host 150), and one or more connections(e.g., connection 902) facilitating information transfer between theclient devices and authentication terminals. In some aspects,environment 1100 may include one or more payment processing systems(e.g., system 1012) associated with corresponding payment entities(e.g., entity 1010), one or more payment networks (e.g., payment network920) connecting one or more of the components of environment 1100, andone or more authentication networks (e.g., authentication network 120)connecting the components of environment 1100. In some embodiments,payment network 920 and authentication network 120 may be incommunication with each other, although such communication is notrequired. For example, in one aspect, payment network 920 andauthentication network 120 may comprise separate networks that do notcommunicate with one another.

The components of environment 1100 may include or implement any of thesystems, technologies, processes, information, and functionalitiesconsistent with the disclosed embodiments (e.g., consistent with theembodiments disclosed in connection with FIGS. 1-10). In some aspects,for example, the components of environment 1100 may be configured toreceive information associated with a transaction (e.g., authenticationdata, packetized information, etc.) and determine whether thetransaction reflects an authentication transaction or a paymenttransaction. In certain aspects, the determination whether a transactionreflects a particular transaction type may take place in any componentof environment 1100 consistent with the disclosed embodiments (e.g., atauthentication terminal 152, an authentication partner system, systemsassociated with payment network 920 and/or authentication network 120,etc.).

For example, in one embodiment, authentication terminal 152 may performprocesses consistent with the disclosed embodiments to receiveinformation associated with a transaction (e.g., authentication data,packetized information, etc.) and determine whether the transactionreflects an authentication transaction or a payment transaction. In someaspects, authentication terminal 152 may be configured to provide theinformation associated with the transaction to one or more networksbased on the determined transaction type. For example, in someembodiments, authentication terminal 152 may be configured to routeinformation associated with a payment transaction to payment network920. In another example, authentication terminal 152 may be configuredto route information associated with an authentication transaction to anauthentication network 120. Systems associated with the receivingnetwork (e.g., payment network 920, authentication network 120, etc.)and those in connection with the receiving network (e.g., authenticationpartner systems, payment processing system 1012, etc.) may be configuredto receive the information and process the information consistent withthe disclosed embodiments. For example, payment processing system 1012may be configured to receive and process payment transactions consistentwith the disclosed embodiments, and authentication partner systems(e.g., systems 132 and 142) may be configured to validate and/orauthenticate authentication transactions consistent with the disclosedembodiments.

In certain aspects, other systems in environment 1100 may be configuredto determine whether a particular transaction (and/or any information orprocess deriving therefrom) reflects an authentication or paymenttransaction to conduct processes consistent with the disclosedembodiments. For example, in one aspect, payment processing system 1012and/or an authentication partner system (e.g., system 132) may beconfigured to receive information and determine a particular transactiontype associated with the information using any of the exemplarytechniques outlined above. In some aspects, the receiving system may beconfigured to process certain transactions and/or reject, return, ormodify other transactions based on the determined transaction type. Forexample, if an authentication partner system determines that informationit receives reflects a payment transaction, the authentication partnersystem may return, reject, or modify the transaction to, for instance,provide the information back to authentication network 120, which may inturn be configured to provide the information to payment network 920 ortransaction terminal 152 for processing along the appropriate channels.

Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromconsideration of the specification and practice of the embodimentsdisclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples beconsidered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of thedisclosed embodiments being indicated by the following claims.

For example, the disclosed embodiments may be configured to performprocesses that enable a financial service provider to open a new accountfor a customer (e.g., user 110) without requiring the customer toestablish their identity at a brick and mortar financial serviceprovider location. For instance, a user (e.g., user 110) that may bemoving from California to Virginia (or from another country to Virginia)may wish to open a new financial account with a financial serviceprovider that provides services in Virginia. The disclosed embodimentsmay be configured to allow the user, prior to the move, and via a clientdevice (e.g., device 112) and other components of FIGS. 1 and/or 9, toperform operations that provide an authentication code to the clientdevice of the user. Following the move, he/she may provideauthentication data to an authentication terminal (e.g., terminal 152located, for example, at an airport, gas station, or train station) torequest authentication and facilitate the opening of the new financialaccount. The disclosed embodiments may perform processes consistent withthose disclosed herein to provide authentication confirmation to theclient device, and allow the financial service provider to open the newfinancial account for the user, without requiring the user to visit abranch or other type of brick and mortar location to show proof ofidentity or similar identity information.

The disclosed embodiments may be similarly performed in otherapplications, such as where a parent would like to open a bank accountfor their child who is attending college in another country, state, etc.For example, the disclosed embodiments may allow a parent living inTexas to open a bank account for a child attending the University ofOxford in the United Kingdom. The disclosed embodiments may beconfigured to allow the parent, via a client device (e.g., device 112),to request a British bank to open a checking account for her child(e.g., by providing input to a website or mobile application hosted bythe bank). The disclosed embodiments may provide an authentication codeto the parent and/or child (e.g., as part of an e-mail, a mailed card,etc.), and may allow the British bank or parent to specify one or morephysical locations at which to provide the authentication code (e.g., atauthentication terminals 152 located at a particular airport, within acertain geographical region in the United Kingdom, etc.). The parent mayprovide the authentication code to an authentication terminal 152 (e.g.,via scanning a piece of paper on which the code has been printed,scanning a client device displaying the code, etc.) at the designatedlocation, and swipe her bank card (e.g., a debit card) at the terminalto provide additional authentication data. The disclosed embodiments maybe configured to receive the scanned code, information associated withthe bank card, and other authentication data (e.g., the child'sfingerprints via a biometric scanner), and perform processes to validateand authenticate the transaction. The disclosed embodiments may thusallow a parent to open a British bank account for her child before thechild ever steps foot into the United Kingdom.

In another example, the disclosed embodiments may be configured toperform processes enabling a governmental entity (e.g., a DMV, the U.S.State Department, a court, etc.) to create or renew for agovernment-issued document (e.g., a passport, a driver's license, ahunting license, a concealed carry permit, etc.) without receiving usercredentials at a brick and mortar government location. For example, thedisclosed embodiments may be configured to perform processes allowing auser to register for a passport at a convenient location such as alibrary, grocery store, bank, or parking garage with minimaldocumentation. The disclosed embodiments may be configured to allow theuser to perform operations that provide, via components of FIGS. 1and/or 9, an authentication code to user (e.g., on a client device 112,on a card, etc.), and may allow the user to input the authenticationcode at a convenient terminal (e.g., terminal 152). The disclosedembodiments may permit the terminal to read the authentication code,determine the partner system generating the code, and determine therequired authentication data required to complete the authenticationtransaction.

In this example, for instance, the terminal may be configured torecognize a passport registration as originating from the U.S. StateDepartment, and may determine that a passport registration transactionrequires certain baseline information (e.g., the user's social-securitynumber (SSN), driver's license number, and thumbprint, etc.). Thedisclosed embodiments may allow the terminal to prompt the user for thebaseline information and transmit the baseline information to avalidating partner system connected to the authentication network. Thedisclosed embodiments may allow the validating partner system to performprocesses to obtain copies of the user's birth certificate, photoidentification, and other required documents (e.g., from other computingsystems connected to the authentication network), and validate thetransaction as disclosed herein. The disclosed embodiments may beconfigured to allow the authenticating partner system to receive thevalidation to approve the transaction, and thereby register the user fora passport without requiring the user to bring physical copies ofcertain documents (e.g., his birth certificate or photo ID) to agovernment location.

The disclosed embodiments may be configured to perform processesenabling the providing and receiving of additional confirmations andprocesses based therefrom. For example, the disclosed embodiments may beconfigured to provide a notification to an authentication terminal 152or client device 112 (e.g., over authentication network 120), reflectingwhether a validating partner system is able or authorized (e.g., basedon validation conditions, authentication conditions, governmentregulations, internal company standards, etc.) to validate a particulartransaction for given received authentication data. The disclosedembodiments may be configured to notify the relevant computing systemwhether the validating partner system is able or authorized to validatethe transaction, and/or prompt a user or operator for additional oralternative authentication data (e.g., another license) to complete thetransaction.

In another example, the disclosed embodiments may be configured toperform processes for requesting additional or alternative informationfrom a user when an authentication transaction has not been approved.For example, the disclosed embodiments may be configured to performprocesses that prompt a user (e.g., via client device 112, terminal 152,etc.) for additional or alternative authentication data (e.g., anotherlicense, swiping another transaction card, entering another PIN, etc.)to perform authentication and/or validation processes consistent withthe disclosed embodiments.

The disclosed embodiments may be configured to perform processes thatenable fee payments to the various computing components of FIGS. 1and/or 9. For example, the disclosed embodiments may be configured toperform processes that provide payments to an authentication terminal152, validating partner system (e.g., system 142), and/or authenticatingpartner system (e.g., system 132) for authentication processes and/orvalidation processes. In one example, an authentication terminal 152 maybe configured to receive a payment from a user or authentication partnersystem upon authenticating a user, providing authentication data to anauthentication network 120, obtaining validation data from anauthentication partner, or any other process disclosed herein. Inanother example, a validating partner system may be configured to chargeand receive payments for obtaining validation data from otherauthentication partner systems, generating validation information,providing validation data and/or validation information to theauthentication network, or the like.

The disclosed embodiments may be configured to perform processesproviding enhanced convenience features for customers. For example, thedisclosed embodiments may be configured to perform processes thatdetermine a user's location and, upon receiving an authenticationtransaction request, provide the user with a list of nearby terminals atwhich the user may provide information to an authentication network. Inone example, a user may provide an authentication transaction requestwhile pumping gas (e.g., via client device 112). The disclosedembodiments may be configured to perform operations that determine theuser's location, determine the nature of the authentication transactionrequest, and provide the user (e.g., over client device 112) with a mapof the user's surroundings and locations of nearby terminals.

While certain aspects of the foregoing embodiments have been describedwith reference to different system names, the disclosed embodiments donot require these systems to be distinct. For example, an authenticationterminal 152 may be configured to receive and/or obtain validation datafrom another computing system connected to the network (e.g., system132), or may store validation data within its own databases and datarepositories. In this example, the authentication terminal may performprocesses consistent with both authentication terminals and validationpartner systems to validate an authentication transaction. In anotherexample, an authenticating partner system may be configured to obtainvalidation data from other network systems (e.g., a database associatedwith an authentication terminal), thereby combining the functionalitiesof both authenticating and validating partner systems.

1-88. (canceled)
 89. An apparatus, comprising: a communicationsinterface; a memory storing software instructions; and one or moreprocessors coupled to the memory and the communications interface, theone or more processors configured to execute the software instructionsto perform one or more operations, the operations comprising: obtainingan authentication code generated by a first authentication partnersystem to an authentication transaction; generating and transmitting,via the communications interface, a first signal to a terminal device,the first signal comprising authentication data that includes theauthentication code, the terminal device being configured to transmitthe authentication data to a second authentication partner system, andthe second authentication partner system being configured to validatethe authentication transaction based on the authentication data andtransaction data characterizing one or more prior authenticationtransactions; and receiving a second signal via the communicationsinterface, the second signal comprising confirmation data that reflectsan approval, by the first authentication partner system, of theauthentication transaction based on an application of at least one of anauthorization condition to the authentication code or a validationcondition to validation data generated by the second authenticationpartner system.
 90. The apparatus of claim 89, wherein the terminaldevice, the first authentication partner system, and the secondauthentication partner system are in communication across anauthentication network.
 91. The apparatus of claim 89, wherein theauthentication code is representative of a request to authenticate anidentity of a user involved in the authentication transaction.
 92. Theapparatus of claim 91, wherein the operations further comprise:generating and transmitting, via the communications interface, a thirdsignal that includes the request to the first authentication partnersystem; and receiving, via the communications interface, a fourth signalthat includes the authentication code from the first authenticationpartner system.
 93. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein the operationsfurther comprise initiating the authentication transaction based oninformation received from a client device in communication with theapparatus.
 94. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein: the request comprisesdata associated with the user; the data associated with the userincludes at least one of personal information, government-issuedidentifying information, or device information identifying at least oneof the first authentication partner system and the second authenticationpartner system providing the authentication data; and the authenticationcode is representative of the data associated with the user.
 95. Theapparatus of claim 91, wherein: the one or more prior authenticationtransactions involve the user or are initiated by a client deviceassociated with the user; the second authentication partner system isfurther configured to validate the authentication transaction based on acomparison between the authentication data and the transaction data,generate the validation data, and transmit the authentication code andthe validation data to the first authentication partner system; and thevalidation data reflects the validated authorization transaction. 96.The apparatus of claim 89, wherein: the authentication code includes atleast one of an alphanumeric code, visual code, or biometric code; andthe authentication code includes routing encoding, the routing encodingspecifying the second authentication partner system in communicationwith the authentication network.
 97. A terminal device, comprising: acommunications interface; a memory storing software instructions; andone or more processors coupled to the memory and the communicationsinterface, the one or more processors configured to execute the softwareinstructions to perform one or more operations, the operationscomprising: receiving a first signal via the communications interface,the first signal comprising first authentication data that includes anauthentication code corresponding to an authentication transaction, theauthentication code being generated by a first authentication partnersystem; generating and transmitting, via the communications interface, asecond signal that includes the first authentication data to a secondauthentication partner system, the second authentication partner systembeing configured to validate the authentication transaction based on thefirst authentication data and transaction data characterizing one ormore prior authentication transactions; and receiving a third signalfrom the first authentication partner system via the communicationsinterface, the third signal comprising confirmation data reflecting anapproval of the authentication transaction by the first authenticationpartner system, the approval being based on an application of at leastone of an authorization condition to the authentication code or avalidation condition to validation data generated by the secondauthentication partner system.
 98. The terminal device of claim 97,wherein the authentication code is representative of a request toauthenticate an identity of a user involved in the authenticationtransaction.
 99. The terminal device of claim 98, wherein the firstsignal is generated by a client device associated with the user. 100.The terminal device of claim 98, wherein: the one or more priorauthentication transactions involve the user or are initiated by aclient device associated with the user; the second authenticationpartner system is configured to validate the authentication transactionbased on a comparison between the authentication data and thetransaction data, generate the validation data, and transmit theauthentication code and the validation data to the first authenticationpartner system; and the validation data reflects the validatedauthentication transaction.
 101. The terminal device of claim 98,wherein: the first authentication data is associated with the user; andthe operations further comprise: receiving second authentication dataassociated with the user, the second authentication data correspondingto the authentication transaction; determining the second authenticationpartner system based on the second set of authentication data;generating and transmitting, via the communications interface, a fourthsignal that includes the second authentication data to the secondauthentication partner system, the second authentication partner systembeing configured to validate the authentication transaction based onportions of the first and second authentication data; and generating andtransmitting, via the communications interface, a fifth signal thatincludes the confirmation data to a client device associated with theuser.
 102. The terminal device of claim 97, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: identifying a transaction type associated with thefirst authentication data; and determining the second authenticationpartner system based on the authentication code and the transactiontype.
 103. An apparatus, comprising: a communications interface; amemory storing software instructions; and one or more processors coupledto the memory and the communications interface, the one or moreprocessors configured to execute the software instructions to performone or more operations, the operations comprising: generating andtransmitting, to a client device via the communications interface, afirst signal that includes a first authentication code associated withan authentication transaction, the client device being configured totransmit the first authentication code to a terminal device, theterminal device being configured to transmit authentication data thatincludes the first authentication code to an authentication partnersystem, and the authentication partner system based configured tovalidate the authentication transaction based on the authentication dataand transaction data characterizing one or more prior authenticationtransactions; receiving a second signal from the authentication partnersystem via the communications interface, the second signal comprising asecond authentication code and validation data indicative of avalidation of the authentication transaction by the authenticationpartner system; and approving the authentication transaction based on anapplication of at least one of an authorization condition to the secondauthentication code or a validation condition to the validation data.104. The apparatus of claim 103, wherein the operations further comprisegenerating and transmitting, via the communications interface, a thirdsignal to the client device, the third signal comprising confirmationdata reflecting the approval of the authentication transaction.
 105. Theapparatus of claim 103, wherein the first authorization code isrepresentative of a request to authenticate an identity of a userinvolved in the authentication transaction.
 106. The apparatus of claim105, wherein the operations further comprise: receiving, via thecommunications interface, a third signal from the client device thatincludes the request; based on the third signal, generating the firstauthentication code that represents the request; and storing the firstauthentication code and the request within a portion of the memory. 107.The apparatus of claim 105, wherein: the one or more priorauthentication transactions involve the user or are initiated by aclient device associated with the user; and the authentication partnersystem is configured to validate the authentication transaction based ona comparison between the authentication data and the transaction data,generate the validation data, and transmit the second authenticationcode and the validation data to the apparatus.
 108. The apparatus ofclaim 103, wherein the operations further comprise: applying theauthorization condition to the second authentication code, the applyingcomprising determining a correspondence between the first and secondauthentication codes; and approving the authentication transaction basedon the determined correspondence between the first and secondauthentication codes.